A challenge to the uncontested six
A voter casts their ballot on Super Tuesday at City Center on March 5, 2024 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Fifteen states and one U.S. territory hold their primary elections on Super Tuesday, awarding more delegates than any other day in the presidential nominating calendar. (Photo by Will Newton | Getty Images)
In this election year we’re already hearing lots of talk, chatter and noise about why this candidate or that, this party or that, is better for Montana. We will be bombarded with laundry lists of reasons why we should or shouldn’t vote for certain people. Having races— contests—between two or more people who hope to represent the people of a given area is good old-fashioned, quintessential democracy.
I commend those who have filed to run local and state races. In fact, we need more candidates in Montana; six “contestants” for the Montana State House of Representatives this year will be elected without contests. For some of us, there will be only one choice on the ballot. By definition, then, there is no “race.” Is there a term for when one person is jogging around a track alone with a title waiting at the end? Is there any reason for that runner to do their absolute best? Uncontested races are not healthy for democracy.
Races currently uncontested include the following, five of which are incumbents:
Morgan Thiel (R) HD30–Culbertson, Sidney
Jerry Schillinger (R) HD34–Circle, Terry, Wibaux, Baker, Ekalaka, Broadus
Katie Zolnikov (R) HD44–North Billings Heights, Shepherd
Lee Deming (R) HD54–Laurel, South of Billings
Fiona Nave (R) HD56–Columbus, Absarokee, Reed Point, Park City
Ken Walsh (R) HD69–Ennis, Virginia City, Twin Bridges, Three Forks
An uncontested race, although a laughably easy position to be in, is not an excuse for inaction and assumption. To these lone runners, I offer this challenge: Rise to the occasion. Look at this as an opportunity to learn about other opinions, perspectives and needs that exist beyond the sliver of likely like-minded people you will encounter during an uncontested race. Do the work to find out.
On behalf of us 65,000-plus Montanans who live in an uncontested Montana House district, I ask you to come out and actually run the race. Be candidates. Do the work that your contested counterparts in neighboring districts must do. Get out in front of people, knock on doors, be in the parade, write a letter or two, show up for coffee, do a radio interview, put up a sign, host a meet and greet. Show up to the candidate forum you’ll be invited to. Respond to calls, letters, and questions. Your race is not a competition, so what do you have to lose?
Please don’t take this letter personally. I don’t know you. However, neither do many of the voters who will be presented with your name in November. Take it, rather, as a bit of unsolicited advice.
The “choice” is not really with the voter in uncontested races. The “choice” is yours. Choose to do the work of a candidate seeking support and seeking to know their constituents instead of taking the easy route to Helena, riding the uncontested victory into the Montana State House of Representatives. And certainly, don’t take your inevitable “100%” election result in November as an indication of 100% support. If the people you represent won’t have a choice in these races, do your absolute best to learn about the values and beliefs in your whole community.
After all, you want to represent, right?
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