Representative Powers talking to voters

Much has changed for everyone during the COVID-19 health crisis.  One thing that has changed is campaigning.  I was enjoying going door-to-door to meet voters.  Now, I must use the telephone to make contact.

The background of this picture is a quilt that I made to show all of the things that I love about our Montana environment–our mountains, rivers, wildlife, forests, and skies.  Even in this crisis when our lives are so disrupted, we have so much for which to be grateful!

Celebrating Spring Equinox by Cross-country Skiing on Public Lands

“Social Distancing” is the right thing to do for our community during the COVID-19 health crisis.  Since traditional campaigning (like knocking on doors) is not a good idea right now, I am enjoying our public lands which are plentiful in House District 3.

I will be starting to make phone calls to constituents soon.

Back (left to right): Dave Fern (HD5), Kyle Waterman (SD2), Guthrie Quist (SD3); Front (left to right): Jerramy Dear Ruel (HD 6), Debo Powers (HD3), Kristen Larson (County Commission District 1), Jennifer Allen (HD10); Not Shown: Ross Frazier (HD7)

By the deadline on March 9th, eight Democratic candidates in Flathead County had filed to run for office.  Although the papers reported that I would have an opponent in the primary, that prospective candidate decided not to run.

The Daily Interlake carried two stories on candidates filing for election:

Contested Races Emerge

Local Races Set as Filing Deadline Passes

Cyclone Lookout Debo Powers

A supporter wrote a letter to the editor of the Hungry Horse News appreciating my column about Legislative Week and highlighting my community involvement, including being a volunteer fire lookout.

Supports Powers

Evening at the Montana State Capitol

Legislative Week was a tremendous success!  Daily Interlake reporter Colin Gaiser, interviewed local legislators (including me) regarding our experiences at Legislative Week.

Lawmakers reflect on legislative week

Montana Capitol

Legislative Week was held in Helena on January 13-17, 2020.  After a week of experiencing and learning that felt like “drinking from the firehose,” I wrote the following column that was published in the Hungry Horse News.

Powers Reflects on Legislative Week

Debo Powers at her swearing-in ceremony.

On November 5, 2019, I took an oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the state of Montana and represent House District 3 in the Montana Legislature.

We live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet with clean air and water surrounded by public lands with opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, floating the river, and observing wildlife.

I will do everything I can to protect our way of life and ensure that we have a vibrant economy and a thriving community.

Ready to Represent

On October 23, 2019, I was appointed to replace Zac Perry who had resigned from his House District 3 seat in the Montana Legislature.  After a delightful interview with political reporter Colin Gaiser, the following story was posted in the Daily InterLake:

Debo Powers ready to represent district

Debo Powers speaking at rally in support of National Monuments

After Zac Perry’s resignation as the Representative for House District 3, the Flathead Democratic Party chose three candidates to send to the Country Commissioners who would appoint the replacement.

The following article was written by Patti Hart and published in  NF News:

The North Fork’s very own Debo Powers is running as a candidate to replace House District 3 Representative Zac Perry who resigned in September. Get more details about this race from the Hungry Horse News article that says… “Powers is a writer for the North Fork News and President of the North Fork Preservation Association.”

Although Debo has indeed been a long time and valued contributor to NFNews, we all know that she has done much more for the North Fork community than that, including… currently on the Flathead Resource Advisory Committee, past President of the North Fork Landowner’s Association, a Forest Service volunteer fire lookout for Cyclone every summer, a volunteer road patroller for Glacier National Park in the springtime, one of the founders of the North Fork History Project, free dance lessons at the hall all winter long, volunteer caller and teacher for square dances at the community hall during the summer, noxious weed puller, hike leader, snowshoe softballer, Christmas caroler, garden tour organizer, Polebridge 4th of July parade participant… and on and on.

So when you see Debo, offer your congratulations and ask her how you can help. She would make an absolutely great Representative for both the North Fork and Flathead County.

Debo Powers

In September, I decided to offer myself as a candidate to replace former Representative Zac Perry in Montana House District 3 after he resigned his position.  Four candidates entered the race to replace Representative Zac Perry.  An article appeared in the Hungry Horse News describing the candidates and the process for appointment.

Four Democrats Seek Zac Perry’s Seat