On Sunday, Oct. 11, the Missoulian endorsed me with the big bold headline: “Fielder is who PSC needs now”. Among other things, the well-reasoned endorsement acknowledged my “willingness to stand up to powerful interests.”
Indeed, I have bucked the flow of big government and my own party at times – including my support for allowing all viable energy sources to compete in the marketplace and my strong stand against corruption.
The Missoulian described me as “a fiercely independent thinker and a no-nonsense leader.”
I analyze facts and put people, not politics, first. I don’t cave-in when pressure builds. I’ve won awards for defending the rights of the people and protecting our outdoor heritage.
My opponents don’t care. They keep trying to connect me with undue controversy. For example, I’ve worked hard to improve public land management, as well as reduce conflicts between government agencies and ranchers.
One ranching family, the Bundys, became famous for protesting excessive government force. Without a conviction, they were imprisoned for two years. Eventually, they were vindicated on every count and released. Recently, Ammon Bundy joined the Black Lives Matter movement because their plights have remarkable similarities.
Three years ago, his dad and brother told their story in Paradise, Montana. The local family who organized the Town Hall meeting invited several guest speakers, including their local Senator who happened to be me. I spoke about the public policy work I was doing to reduce such conflicts. As the audience stood and applauded, the Bundys were photographed applauding as well.
Some are using that photo to demonstrate a supposed “affiliation” with the Bundys. In actuality, I had never met them before, I don’t keep in touch with them and I never participated in any of their protests.
But after last week’s endorsement, the opposition came unhinged and threatened to put the Missoulian out of business. They cited this supposed “affiliation” with the Bundys as a reason why I should not be supported.
The Missoulian’s editor protested the endorsement too. The strange thing is, this editor never met with me or participated in the vetting process. She never gave me a chance to present my case and certainly never gave me a fair shake.
The members of the Editorial Board who actually took time to meet with both candidates rightfully concluded I was the better choice.
Then something extraordinarily unfair happened. After a 20-day vetting period that led to a glowing endorsement in my favor, the Missoulian reversed their position just one day later.
This new decision wasn’t based on new information. The Missoulian succumbed to the opposition’s baseless, politically-charged talking points – none of which hold any real water.
Sadly, what began as a fair and objective endorsement process has morphed into “journalism by political pressure”.
The Missoulian got it right in their original endorsement when they wrote, “[Jennifer Fielder] is the breath of fresh air the commission so badly needs right now.”
Give me the chance, and I’ll prove them right. Please visit http://www.JenniferFielder.com for more information.
Respectfully, Jennifer Fielder (R), candidate Montana Public Service Commission
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