This is another in a series of stories and candidate profiles about area legislative races and Butte-Silver Bow contests that will be affected by the June 2 primary.
Two Republicans and one Democrat are running for an open Montana House District 71 seat that’s been held by rancher Ray Shaw of Sheridan the past eight years.
Shaw cannot seek a fifth consecutive term in the heavy-red district, which covers all of Madison County and southern slices of Butte-Silver Bow and Jefferson counties.
Republicans Ken Walsh of Twin Bridges and Cindy Younkin of McAllister will square off in the June 2 primary, with the winner taking on Democrat Ian Root in the November general election.
Shaw won his first term in 2012, defeating Independent Ken Miller, and won re-election in 2014, 2018 and 2018. He fended off a Republican primary challenge by Robert Wagner in 2016 and beat Democrat Jay Frederick and Libertarian Michael White two years ago.
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Republicans control both chambers of the Montana Legislature by sizable margins — 58-42 in the House and 30-20 in the Senate.
Here is some biographical information on the House District 71 candidates this year and statements from them in their own words:
Ian Root – Democrat
Age: 70
Address: P.O.Box 1695, Ennis
Occupation: Retired from U.S. Forest Service
Education: Bacherlor’s in political science, Queens College, City University of NW; Master’s in health care administration, Long Island University
I am retired. I followed my wife's career as a Forest Service employee.
We've lived in Montana for 25 years. My last position was as a field interviewer for a research company with a federal contract to do a national survey on tobacco, alcohol and drug use. I worked for the Research Triangle Institute for 11 years.
I am a graduate of Queens College of the City University of NY (B.A. in political Science). I have a Master's degree from Long Island University (M.P.S. in Health Care Administration)
I filed to run for HD 71 after hearing Barry McGuire sing "Eve of Destruction" on PBS. I believe that democracy is in danger of being destroyed by the dictator Trump. He has put lives at risk by his handling of the pandemic. He has killed people by not acting quickly to fight the disease.
The outbreak has pointed out that the state of Montana needs to reform its labor laws to include major improvements in its unemployment benefit rules to help workers. The system now deprives workers of help. I would try to pass laws to make sick days for private companies mandatory. I would make it easier for workers to unionize like in McDonalds, Wal-Mart, Town Pump, etc. The virus also point out the need for universal health care.
I support public education. I would increase funding for all forms of public education. Pre-school, university, technical schools, apprenticeships, including day care support for working families.
I support the right of women to make their own health decisions. No one has the right to tell another what health care they need. I support Medicaid expansion beyond what the state has mandated.
I support the expansion of public lands in conjunction with a state effort to fight climate change by increasing solar and wind energy and closing down coal plants. Relaxing of federal standards on clean air and clean water puts every Montanan at risk.
I am not accepting donations from individuals or PACs.
Kenneth (Ken) Walsh – Republican
Age: 65
Address: Not provided
Occupation: Retired Bank President/Owner, Ruby Valley Bank, 33 years; Owner/Manager – Walsh W Bar Ranch; Director, Opportunity Bank of Montana
Education: Twin Bridges High School, 1972; Montana State University, Agriculture Education, BS ‘76, MS ‘81
Family: Married to Mary Beth Holzer Walsh for 31 years. Two adult sons, Robert and Michael
Why I am running for HD71: My passion for STRONG rural communities has drawn me to public service. I am confident I can utilize my small business and agriculture experiences to find common sense, conservative solutions that will allow ALL to find success.
Positions and priorities:
Natural Resources: Southwestern Montana is blessed with vast and varied natural resources that warrant promotion and support. As your representative, I will work for a viable and sustainable agriculture economy, keep public lands public and promote multiple uses on public land. I will protect private property rights and seek opportunities to enhance our outdoor recreation economies, mining, timber, and tourism. A strong diversified economy will support our Main Street small businesses, which are the backbone of our communities.
Education: To allow for a strong economy locally and across the state, we must maintain a vibrant education system across all sectors. I will be an advocate for vocational education and training opportunities which are necessary for a skilled labor force. Education decisions are best made by local school boards. As a former educator I appreciate the challenges and importance of an educated and trained population.Â
Healthcare: Montanans deserve a system that is not only of quality, but one that serves all.  We must be steadfast and supportive of the care of our veterans both physically and mentally. Serving on our local hospital’s board of directors has been a learning and humbling experience. This experience has provided me with insight into the struggles of a system that is overwhelmed with excessive bureaucratic regulations. We can and must do better to support healthcare for both the body and mind so we can continue to have access to these services locally.  Â
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all our ‘normal’ activities, as well as our economy. The next legislative session will be confronted with many issues. The foremost will be revenue shortfalls. Priorities will need to be established to allocate the limited resources to fund your government.Â
As your representative, I will draw on my banking, small business and agriculture experiences to find common sense conservative solutions that will enable Montana to work through these challenges and find success. Your government needs to be efficient and responsive to your needs. The process should be transparent, and one that seeks collaboration in finding solutions. Partisan gridlock is not an option.
Email: kmwalsh54@gmail.com
Website: www.walsh4montana.com
Cindy Younkin – Republican
Age: 61
Address: P.O. Box 213, McAllister
Occupation: Retired attorney
Education: Manhattan, MT, high school graduate, 1976; BS Microbiology, Montana State University, 1982; JD, law degree, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR, 1989
Why am I running this time: Government is generally in need of strong leadership to make our process work best. The people of HD 71 need a strong leader to make sure their interests are heard in Helena where many think one size fits all. It is easy for rural districts like ours to get lost in the shuffle and the seven big counties seem to dominate. I am a leader with experience in listening to a barrage of information, sorting through the chaff and making sound decisions, which in this case would be for the folks of HD 71.   Â
Positions on key issues: I am conservative and know that generally less government is better, in the long run for sure. Government need only provide the people with the basic infrastructure to be successful in life, with their family, making a living, taking care of yourself and your family, in their schools, and all in aspects.Â
Our economy is based on agriculture and natural resources — WATER in particular. Agriculture can't operate without it and the anglers and floaters who visit our area, and the related businesses, depend on it. I've spent 30 years working with ranchers and farmers and know that protection of the water rights on our Ag lands is critical, as well as insuring the water resources are clean and reliable. All kinds of businesses need to have predictable and applicable laws to insure they can continue. People need to know their jobs are secure. Our children need a good, solid education to become productive citizens of our communities.Â
My focus is a strong economy and protection of our rural way of life. With a strong economy, our communities and the people in them can, and will, take care of themselves. I follow the Constitution, all of it! From the First Amendment and the Second Amendment, both of which get all the attention, but all the rest of the Constitution as well. If you ignore one part of it, you've threatened the entire foundation of our country.Â
Email is ceyounkin@yahoo.com