Candidate Gary Marbut (Ind–HD 94) and a gun
Missoula residents will recognize the name of local gun enthusiast Gary Marbut, who is running as an independent to represent HD 94 in the Montana State House. Last week, the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices rejected Marbut’s complaint that fliers produced by his opponent failed to properly indicate her party affiliation. Marbut alleged that the icon chosen by incumbent Democrat Kimberly Dudik “has short ears and a long tail” and therefore resembled a horse more than a donkey. That kind of willful misreading can hurt a candidate’s credibility, at least according to my column in this week’s Missoula Independent. Really it doesn’t matter, since Dudik is going to win this one in a walk. But you should get to know Gary Marbut, especially if you’ve acquired a taste for the peculiar flavor of Montana politics. You’ll see his name again.
