Kalispell, MT – Aaron Flint dominated the first general election debate, exposing Sam Forstag’s record as a highly paid lobbyist and laying out his plan for an affordable Montana that works for working class families and allows Montana children to find work and stay here.
“I’m fighting because I want my kids to have the same opportunities here in Montana that many of us have gotten to have,” said Flint during the debate. “And so that’s why we’re talking about making the Montana Dream affordable again. Trades and trades education, revitalizing our timber industry, mining and manufacturing in America, and that’s how we’re going to make the Montana Dream affordable again.”
Throughout the debate, Flint focused on the issues hitting Montana families hardest, including the cost of housing, energy, and tax relief. He laid out plans to unleash American energy, protect public lands, secure the border, and create more opportunities for Montana workers. At the same time, Flint repeatedly exposed Forstag over his lobbying record of supporting a sales tax, higher property taxes, and supporting sanctuary cities and anti-police legislation.
Flint also discussed getting corruption out of D.C., like Forstag’s aunt, Rep. Susie Lee, who violated Congressional ethics by failing to disclose as much as $3.3 Million in stock trades.
“Frankly, when we talk about money and politics, I think we can all agree that we’ve got politicians back in Washington DC that are getting rich off of the backs of taxpayers and we’re working harder than ever before and yet either falling behind or barely getting ahead,” said Flint. “That’s why I called for on day one a ban on congressional stock trading and we need to pass a balanced budget amendment. And if they can’t balance the budget, they shouldn’t get paid. That’s how it works out here in the real world. That’s how it should work back in Washington DC.”
The contrast was clearest on affordability. Flint argued that Montana families need lower taxes, cheaper energy, more housing, and better-paying jobs, while pointing to Forstag’s record lobbying for policies that would move Montana in the opposite direction. Flint laid out an agenda to unleash American energy, speed up permitting, cut regulations that drive up housing costs, rebuild industries like timber and mining, expand trades education and apprenticeships, and make tax relief on tips and overtime permanent. Forstag, meanwhile, spent much of the debate defending or distancing himself from a lobbying record that included support for legislation imposing a sales tax and increasing property tax increases.
“Flint made it clear to the people of Montana who has the better vision for the future of the Treasure State,” said Flint campaign spokesman Garrett Brown. “Sam Forstag has spent months trying to reinvent himself for Montana voters, but tonight Aaron Flint put his actual record front and center. Flint laid out a plan that creates high-paying jobs, lowers prices, and protects our Montana way of life. Forstag spent the debate doing what he always does: deflecting from his radical record of supporting higher taxes and less money in your pocket.”
Watch the full debate here:
