Baucus Seeks Historic Win; Kelleher Wants a Pariliament

Bob Kelleher (left) and Max Baucus

By MARK PAGE
Community News Service
UM School of Journalism

No one is more surprised than Bob Kelleher that he’s Montana’s Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate.

“I’m still trying to figure out where those 27,000 votes came from, besides my own,” he said of his June primary victory.

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Candidates Spar over K-12 Schools

Denise Juneau (left) and Elaine Sollie Herman

By ERICA DOORNEK
Community News Service
UM School of Journalism

• Rising costs
• Falling enrollments
• No Child Left Behind
• Full-day kindergarten
• Finding and keeping good teachers

These are just some of the issues facing the state’s next top public school administrator. Candidates Elaine Herman and Denise Juneau want Montanans to know that they’re up to the job.

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U-System Seeks Renewal of Property Tax

Photo By Tiffany Wilson

Student Senator Tony Brockman laughs as Dustin Leftridge slaps a "6 Mill Levy" sticker on his sweater during a rally supporting the referendum at the University of Montana in Missoula.

By LAURA BARNES
Community News Service
UM School of Journalism

Since 1948, the six-mill levy has been a financial staple for Montana’s universities and colleges. On Nov. 4, Montana voters will decide whether to keep it that way.

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Stock Woes Overshadow Ballot Measure

By RYAN THOMPSON
Community News Service
UM School of Journalism

As the comedians say, it’s all in the timing. Wall Street's woes are casting a dark cloud over a ballot issue asking Montanans to allow the state to invest more public funds in the stock market.

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A student studies the stock ticker in UM's business building. Photo by JEREK WOLCOTT >>

AG Contest Pits Outsider vs. Insider

Tim Fox (left) and Steve Bullock

By MARK PAGE
Community News Service
UM School of Journalism

For Democrat Steve Bullock and Republican Tim Fox, the race to replace Attorney General Mike McGrath is a clash of experience, ideology and even style.

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CLICK HERE FOR AN ANALYSIS OF THEIR TV ADS

Health Care Cost Dominates Auditor's Race

Duane Grimes and Monica Lindeen

By CHRIS D’ANGELO
Community News Service
UM School of Journalism

Let’s get one thing straight: Montana’s state auditor doesn’t audit anything. What she or he really does is keep a watchful eye on the state’s insurance and investment industries and help oversee the management of more than 5 million acres of state lands.

So that explains why the two candidates for the office are spending so much time this campaign talking about the high cost of health insurance and energy.

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Chief Justice Rivals Clash Over Experience

Chief justice candidates Ron Waterman (left) and Mike McGrath debated in Missoula on Oct. 1. Photos by Jerek Wolcott

Candidate Bios: Mike McGrath, Ron Waterman

By ELIZABETH HARRISON
Community News Service
UM School of Journalism

Ron Waterman, a Helena attorney running for chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court, has an identity problem. Although he is reasonably well known among Montana lawyers and in his home city, this is his first run for statewide office.

His opponent, two-term Attorney General Mike McGrath has been in the news and on yard signs since he first ran for Lewis and Clark county attorney in 1982.

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