What do I mean by Kennedy Democrat? I have been asked that question a lot since I entered the campaign for Senate District 11.

I believe that President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert F. Kennedy were two of the greatest individuals to ever participate in American politics. They were committed to service, sacrifice and working diligently to help the most vulnerable people in society. They did this while being proud of their faith and their Country. They believed in the greatness of America but recognized that it had many faults and spent their lives working to address the Country’s faults. They believed in a strong military. They didn’t believe we should be engaged militarily all over the world and certainly did not believe we should be policing the world. They also created a positive vision of the future and inspired all people to live better lives. They didn’t tear down, they built up. Their legacies have sadly faded in the memories of some Americans, with many people remembering their deaths more than their lives.

In my view, both the Democrat Party and the Republican Party of today have become too extreme, too negative and too self-serving. They put the interests of the party ahead of the interests of the Country and its people. It is sad that oftentimes people feel they need to vote for the best, worst option and many people don’t feel like they belong in either party. My mom was a staunch Democrat most of her life, but as she entered the golden years, she became an Independent. I asked her why and her reasoning was all too familiar. She said she didn’t leave the Democrat Party, the Democrat Party left her. Not too long ago, it would be unfathomable to think that so many union workers would be voting for the Republican candidates. I spent my entire career working in the refining business. I have seen first-hand how many workers have felt betrayed by the Democrat Party because the only time they feel represented and heard is when a candidate wants their vote. The Helena Legislator is dominated by rich, well-connected businesspeople that go to Helena to solve the problems of rich, well-connected businesspeople, while giving average Montanans enough scraps to keep them happy. I want to change that.

So, I am a Kennedy Democrat.

I am proud of my faith.

I am proud of my Country, and I stand up for the Flag.

I believe in individual freedom.

I will spend my term in the Montana Senate:

• Being laser focused on Montana issues

• Addressing the challenges that the most vulnerable Montanans face

• Ensuring that workers have someone to serve their interests and be their voice

• Protecting the interests of all Montanan’s that just want to have a job that pays the bills, the ability to buy a home and have the government leave them alone to enjoy time with family and friends

I will not:

• Be sidetracked by Federal issues over which I have no control

• Get distracted by the latest shiny object

• Silence any voice even if they disagree with me

Paid for by Mark Winters, PO Box 19, Black Eagle, MT, 59414