It was Missoula’s first look at a fairly new face in Montana electoral politics, in an even newer role as a candidate.
About 25 people stood among the light fixtures at Western Montana Lighting to listen to the candidates talk about lowering property taxes, getting rid of the business equipment tax, and creating new jobs.
The duo punched home a “better government” theme.
Daines, 45, a fifth-generation Montanan, spoke of his support for public schools and the importance of responsibly developing the state’s natural resources. He also touted his experience in business.
Daines is vice president of RightNow Technologies, a high-tech company headquartered in Bozeman. Of its 700 employees, 350 work in Bozeman, he said, and many are graduates of the Montana university system.
“It’s not about a bigger vision, but a better government to deliver efficient results,” he said. “This race is not about us, it’s about public service.”
“That’s the difference in this campaign,” he said, taking a small jab at Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who is running for re-election with Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger.
When prodded further about government efficiency, Brown, a state senator from Billings, said that increased spending and growth of government is indicative of Schweitzer’s administration.
A graduate of Montana State University in Bozeman, Daines was quick to point out Thursday that his father graduated from the University of Montana and “his true colors come out often during the Cat/Griz game.”
Brown and Daines say their business backgrounds will benefit Montana’s economy. Brown worked in the oil business before earning a degree at Montana Tech in Butte and now operates a small business.
But as the two point out, they have more in common than what meets the eye.
Both drive the same color Chevy Silverado. Both are engineers. Daines’ parents lived in Billings, Brown’s hometown. Brown’s grandmother-in-law and Daines’ mother worked together.
Daines’ grandmother lives within Brown’s legislative district, and although she’s a Democrat, she votes for Brown.
“If my grandmother votes for Roy, that says something about the reach Roy Brown has,” Daines said.
The two met a year ago at an ice cream social sponsored by the Montana Republican Party.
Brown was sporting a blazer Thursday and underneath was a red vest n the signature color of the Republican Party.
Although he’s never run for elected office, Daines gained prominence last spring when he launched Giveitback.com, a nonprofit organization that urged the state to return all of the near $1 billion surplus to taxpayers.
Daines said he had traveled 800 miles since he left his home in Bozeman Tuesday for Billings to kick off the two-day tour with Brown. Accompanying him were his wife, Cindy, and 11-year-old daughter Caroline, the youngest of four children.
Brown and Daines left Missoula as quickly as they came. Next stop: Butte. Thursday was the last day of the tour.
Reporter Chelsi Moy can be reached at 523-5260 or at chelsi.moy@missoulian.com.
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