It's not easy campaigning in a district that encompasses 2,600 square miles and more than 100,000 people, but that's the reality of running for Missoula County commissioner.
“You can't go door to door,” said Commissioner Larry Anderson. “The county is too big.”
Anderson, a Republican, and Landquist, a Democrat, are facing off against each other to represent the people of Missoula County and shape policy that affects how the area grows.
The forethought that's gone into this race began more than a year ago when former veteran Republican county Commissioner Barbara Evans retired from the commission after serving 28 years.
Evans left with more than a year remaining in her term to allow a Republican - chosen by local GOP leaders - the advantage of coming into November's general election as an incumbent. Anderson was appointed to replace Evans at the end of August 2007 and is now campaigning to stay.
“His being there a year gives people a chance to know how he stands on issues,” said Evans, who recorded several TV and radio ads in support of Anderson. “My name is well known. People who supported me for five elections, I would encourage those people to support him.”
As Evans has always said, not everyone in Missoula County is a Democrat, so there should be a Republican representative on the commission.
“As long as it's a partisan election, then it needs balance,” said Anderson, who thinks he can bring that balance. “Even at the national level, when one party is in power and not raising the important questions, it isn't making the good public policy.”
Landquist disagrees. She argues balance is achieved through a blend of personalities, not political parties.
“I don't think the commissioner race should be partisan,” she said. “It's about doing the right thing, making unemotional, intelligent decisions.”
Both Landquist and Anderson support planning for future growth - partly by identifying and mapping things like gravel reserves, higher-density housing, and important agricultural land. Both want to create sustainable jobs and maintain the quality ones that already exist, especially in the timber industry. Both consider that industry vital to western Montana's economy.
Yet, there's plenty that distinguishes the two candidates.
Anderson, who lives in Missoula, has an extensive political history at both the local and federal levels, having served as a member of the Missoula City Council, as the city's chief administrative officer and as a field representative for both Congressman Denny Rehberg and former U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns.
Anderson, 65, is a strong advocate of private property rights and thinks one of the county's main functions is to provide infrastructure. That could mean paving a road - or paving the way to better access to health care and sustainable jobs.
If nothing else, Anderson promises to listen carefully to people's concerns. He printed up fliers that say “an effective leader spends 99 percent of the time listening.”
Also, Anderson's attitude toward local builders and developers sets him apart from his colleagues on the commission, he said.
“Sometimes (builders and developers) are viewed as though they are wearing black hats,” he said. “Sure, there are those builders and developers out there, but the majority of the people we see are longtime residents with kids in our schools.”
Landquist, of Lolo, is a sheep farmer and property manager who served two terms on the Lolo Community Council and is the former executive director of the Lolo Watershed Group. Fairness is one of the biggest assets she can bring to the county commission, she said. Landquist considers herself “frugal and extremely cautious when it comes to the budget.”
The county commission needs an outside perspective, said Landquist, who's a longtime Lolo resident. It needs a commissioner who lives outside the city limits of Missoula, she said.
(The commissioners all live in Missoula, but Commissioner Jean Curtiss grew up in the Swan Valley and has family who still live there and Anderson owns a cabin in Seeley Lake.)
Landquist applauds the city and county planning efforts in downtown Missoula, the fairgrounds, future transportation projects and growth.
If elected, Landquist would like to implement a countywide recycling program and figure out ways to recycle more material. She thinks that could reduce illegal dumping in recreational areas. Also, Landquist would like to see more affordable day care, senior housing and home care in Missoula County's rural towns. Often seniors are forced to move into Missoula to receive these services at more affordable prices.
“I don't want to move into Missoula when I'm that age,” Landquist said. “They want to stay with their friends.”
Anderson has far surpassed Landquist in fundraising, which is evident by the number of his green-and-white campaign signs stretching to every corner of the county. Just after the primary, Anderson, who ran unopposed, had $6,000 in the bank to Landquist's $200.
In the primary, Landquist squeaked by Democratic challenger Dennis Daneke, who had the support of Mayor John Engen and raised far more money. Landquist won by 42 votes.
The county commissioner race is “getting lost in the backdrop of other major races,” Anderson said. The popularity of the presidential race along with the economic slump has made fundraising for local races difficult.
Landquist hopes that a grass-roots swell will win her votes. She understands that money is tight right now and there are so many more worthy organizations, such as nonprofits, that depend on donations to exist, she said.
She's convinced that if people agree with her stances on the issues, then they'll forward her Web site to friends, she said.
“That, in the end, is what wins campaigns,” Landquist said. “It shouldn't be about the money.”
Reporter Chelsi Moy can be reached at 523-5260 or at chelsi.moy@missoulian.com.
Lawrence (Larry) Anderson
Political party: Republican
Office: Missoula County commissioner
Annual salary: $60,445
Age: 65
Birthdate and place: May 14, 1943; Omaha, Neb.
Home: Missoula
Occupation: Missoula County commissioner
Family: Wife, Linda, married 39 years; two children, Jessi and Josh; two grandchildren, Maddy and Duncan
Education: B.S. forestry University of Montana, 1967; MBA Oregon State, 1975
Past employment: Field representative, Congressman Denny Rehberg, 2007; field representative, U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, 2003-06; business owner, Eastgate Rental and Party Center, 1991-2002; city administrator, Missoula, 1986-90
Political experience: Missoula city administrator, 1986-90; Missoula City Council, 1996-99; unsuccessful candidate for Legislature, 2002
Military: U.S. Army 1967-70, first lieutenant Vietnam, 1969-70
Campaign Web site: larryanderson4missoulacounty.com
Michele Landquist
Political party: Democrat
Office: Missoula County commissioner
Annual salary: $59,862
Age: 53
Birthdate and place: April 13, 1955; Bremerhaven, Germany
Home: Lolo
Occupation: Sheep farmer and property management
Family: Married 33 years, two daughters, three granddaughters
Education: Graduated from the University of Montana in 1999 with a BA biology-natural history emphasis; minor in communication (two classes shy from completing a minor in wildlife biology)
Past employment: Lolo Watershed Group, executive director
Political experience: Elected to two terms on the Lolo Community Council
Military: None
Campaign Web site: electlandquist.com
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