HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Democrat Jake Strissel of Rudyard, Behavioral Health Specialist for Bullhook Community Health Center, is campaigning to fill the District 1 Hill County Commission seat that Democrat Mike Wendland is vacating.
This is Strissel’s first time running for political office, but the fifth-generation farmer says much of what he does at his current job, as well as other roles he’s taken on, could translate to the Commission seat.
“I’m a certified application counselor, so I help people get on the marketplace for insurance, medicare, medicaid. I’m licensed by the state of Montana to install car safety seats. So I help out the fire department, the police department. Work a lot with Child Protective Services, family engagement meetings. I’m also on the Board for Family Connections, early childhood development team local advisory committee, and Havre Trauma School Sensitive Initiative. Doing a lot of different stuff with the community and different programs.”
If elected, Strissel says one of his biggest priorities would be to improve county roads.
“I want to hear from the people of Hill County first before I make any decisions. But I know obtaining gravel is a hard thing in Hill County, trying to find enough gravel to make all the roads are safe and where they need to be. And then the paved roads. It’s just infrastructure in general in Hill County. We definitely need to get our infrastructure up; bridges, roads, things like that.”
Strissel says he was relieved that the Commission recently made the decision to hold the General Election via mail-in ballot with the option to vote in person.
“In these times of the pandemic and COVID-19, I think mail-in ballots are a good thing. I definitely stand with Mike Wendland on that and I never wavered from that. Working in community health center, I see how this has really impacted our community. So I think anything to have people vote in that way is a good thing.”
Strissel adds that he feels Wendland served Hill County well in his time on the Commission.
“I think Mike had done a phenomenal job for Hill County. In fact, when I decided to run, I went to him first and talked to him about everything it takes to be a County Commissioner, all the things that you do. We had a nice sit-down chat and he really motivated me to vie for this position, and getting his blessing was the biggest thing in my candidacy.”
As for his opponent, Republican Mark Wicks, Strissel says he’s known him for a while and they have mutual respect, but believes he’s the better candidate.
“I’ve known Mark for a long time. He allows me to go hunting on his place every year. I have nothing personally against Mark Wicks, he’s a really good candidate and I know he’s been in the political game for quite a while. Nothing personal, I just think I’m the better person for the job.”
Strissel also spoke with New Media Broadcasters about whether he’d wear a mask during meetings while Hill County remains above four active COVID-19 cases. Commissioner Diane McLean’s refusal to wear a mask has caused issues at previous meetings.
“Working in community health, I defer to the better judgement of the experts in that department. I have no problem wearing a mask. In fact, if it’s going to help, whatever I can do to flatten the curve, I’m all for it. Wearing a mask doesn’t bother me and I’ll wear it as long as I need to.”
Strissel concluded his interview with New Media Broadcasters by stating that his work serving Hill County makes him the best candidate to replace Wendland.
“I’ve really dedicated my life to serving the people of Hill County. Everything I’ve done from being a teacher to being a coach to working in community health, I’ve always dedicated my life to others and I think this is just another way I can do that on a bigger scale. So I really am looking forward to the opportunity and am hoping the people of Hill County vote for me.”
District 1 stretches from the western portion of Havre north and west to the Liberty County and Canadian lines.
