| My name is Wayne Rusk. I have lived in the Bitterroot Valley for more than 30 years. My time in the Bitterroot has blessed me greatly. Here I have learned to fly and earned a commercial pilot's license. It is where I started my business 25 years ago as a successful tradesman.
I met my wife Carrie in free fall, skydiving over the Stevensville airport from 15,000 feet in 1994. It is also where we are raising our two amazing children, Olivia, 21, and Nathan, 18. This beautiful Valley we call home has been the perfect place to teach them our Christian values, and our love of the outdoors, by hunting, fishing, and enjoying a peaceful way of life.
I have had a lifelong interest in politics and love history. I grew up in the 80's and even as a teenager was inspired by the leadership of President Reagan. I have known the bounty and opportunity the Founders intended for us when they framed our government. It has not all been easy, but it has been worth it. I feel strongly that now it is time for me to give back. I have stood for our American values and the conservative principles that preserve them.
During my first legislative session in 2023, I served on the Judiciary and Health and Human Services Committees. It has been an honor to serve as your representative in Helena this past session. However, as a lifelong Republican, I must admit I was at times taken aback by the undue influence of hyper-partisanship and political faction that obtained in our party, and how on these occasions it tended to render us poor stewards of our own positions.
As our politics have become increasingly polarized, I have consistently struck for common ground and found it. In the legislature I remained steadfastly conservative and constitutional amid the seductions of extremism and the pressures of partisanship - no matter what the scorecards of special interest groups are saying.
Why am I running for Senate District 44?
In light of this, and after much deliberation, I determined that the most value I could bring to the voters of Ravalli County would be to give them a choice - a choice between the deep division the incumbent continues to sow in our ranks with nullification and the authentic, constitutional conservatism that informed my votes, and that can operate to return this seat to the people and to its proper function of representation.
So come June 4th, voters will have a chance to trade politics as usual for someone who has and who will stand up - to either side - when party politics offer to undermine the public good.
I would like to hear your thoughts on the subjects that most concern us as Americans, and together may we restore constitutional conservatism to Senate District 44 - and beyond. |