By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Montana Governor and Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate, Steve Bullock, campaigned in Havre and on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation on Friday afternoon.
Bullock began the afternoon at Bergren Transmission in Havre, speaking with employees about how the pandemic has impacted business.
Owner Steve Neiffer told Bullock that year-to-date business is near the same as last year, but there was a significant drop in business for a few months after the Stay-At-Home order was enacted. Neiffer said business rebounded thanks in part to the stimulus check and extra unemployment benefits.
Bullock held an informal question and answer session with Neiffer and his employees, and Neiffer took Bullock on a tour of his business.
Bullock spoke with several employees who are currently majoring in diesel technology at MSU-Northern.
During the tour of the shop, Neiffer lobbied Bullock to work on getting a “Right to Repair,” law through the U.S. Senate if elected, as his shop is unable to use their technology to repair some vehicles due to manufacturer repair monopolies.
“Think about it. Because you as the consumer, you buy a Ford Truck, you ought to be able to get that fixed at Bergren’s if you want,” Bullock told New Media Broadcasters following the tour. “If they have the skills, if they have the capability. And then at the end of the day, I have incredibly skilled people, but the big companies won’t give us the information, the technology, to actually repair their car. Montana is all about our small businesses. That’s what fuels main street Havre, that’s what fuels main street Helena. That Congress hasn’t in the past backed our small businesses versus sort of the big multinational corporations makes no sense to me. So I would push for Right to Repair.”
Bullock then briefly toured Neiffer’s other business, Old Station Brewing, a historic gas station that was recently converted into a local brewery.
Bullock then made the trip down to Rocky Boy for a drive-in campaign event for the Montana Democrats.
Bullock was the last candidate at the event to speak, following House District 32 incumbent Jonathan Windy Boy, Superintendent of Schools Candidate Melissa Romano, State Auditor Candidate Shane Morigeau, Secretary of State Candidate Bryce Bennett, Attorney General Candidate Raph Graybill, U.S. Congressional Candidate Kathleen Williams and Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Cooney.
“How many times have people come a little bit before the election…and said ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime.’ But guess what. For the Chippewa Cree, for all of Montana, this is the most important election of our lifetimes. Let me tell you what’s at stake, and you’ve heard from so many great candidates. A quality public great education system and investing in our learners is at stake. You heard about our public lands. Access to those public lands is at stake. Healthcare is at stake.”
Dozens of cars drove up to view the event, honking their horns when they agreed with something the speaker said.
Local organizers walked up to cars and provided voter registration information and encouraged everyone to fill out the 2020 Census.
Each candidate spent around five minutes speaking, and the event concluded with a drum circle.
