two for HD2 seat
By Krista Tincher
Of the Tobacco Valley News
He’s back.
Tim Linehan filed last week for a second go-around for Montana’s House District 2 seat.
This campaign touts much the same ideals as the last: Centrist balance, not extremist party politics. Support for education, for small businesses, for jobs, for gun rights. Lowering tax burdens.
Linehan lost to incumbent Chas Vincent for the same seat in 2008’s election, carrying nearly 34 percent of the vote.
But this time, with one campaign already under his belt, he feels that his chances are better. “Last time, it was about getting my feet wet,” he said.
Linehan has some work ahead of him, he’ll admit.
He’ll be running against first-time candidate and Eureka resident Mike Cuffe in the 2010 election. Vincent, meanwhile, is pursuing a state senate seat.
The backbone of Linehan’s campaign will be footwork, knocking on doors. “I love the old school way of walking and knocking,” he said. “It’s the best way to do it,” he added, to stand on a person’s doorstep, look in their eyes and introduce yourself, face to face.
And living in the Yaak – and given the size of the district – that’s no easy task.
Linehan, 47, has been living in the Yaak for the past 20 years, owning and operating an outfitting business since 1992 with his wife, Joanne. His childhood days were spent in New Hampshire. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1984.
“I’ve reached that point in life,” Linehan said, when the time has come “to give back to the community, to give back to the state that has allowed me to make a living all of those years.”
Linehan particularly sees a disconcerting polarization in government that seems to inhibit positive forward motion. “I strongly believe both (Democrats and Republicans) have been hijacked by the extremes,” said Linehan. “I think we hear two extremes doing the talking, and nobody in the middle moving things forward.”
Linehan believes he can be that balanced man in the middle. “I’ve always considered myself more of a centrist,” he said.
His experience owning a small business in Montana, added Linehan, would be valuable as a state representative.
“It makes me fiscally responsible,” he explained. “Joanne and I have built this business the old fashioned way – lots of sweat equity.”
“I think that’s what the state and country could stand at this point: A more businesslike approach,” he added. “Watch the nickel, and don’t spend more than what it costs you to be in business.”
Running a business also makes a person very sensitive to taxes, he added. Linehan feels that there are several areas where the government could reduce taxes for family-owned businesses in Montana. “I believe it’s the state’s duty to allow the state’s small businesses to operate with as little government interference as possible,” he said.
Education, and support for quality education, is a centerpiece of Linehan’s campaign, he said.
Education runs in the family. His parents were teachers, his sister is a teacher, and his wife is a teacher by profession.
“I think public education is the backbone of democracy,” he said. And he knows that it’s possible to increase funding for public education without increasing taxes, he said.
When asked how well he could represent North Lincoln County, in particular, as a Yaak resident, Linehan responded positively.
“I’m determined to represent North Lincoln County well,” he said. As a Yaak resident, he’s more in the middle of the county, he said. He does business in Eureka, has friends in Eureka, as he does in the south end of the county as well. “Joanne and I will drive up to Jax for breakfast,” he said. Being in the middle of the county could be an advantage.
He does have his homework to do in the north end, he admitted, better getting to know business owners and community leaders. “I believe I could represent the north end of the county as well as anybody has,” he said.
And in operating a small business, Linehan said, he’s cultivated a strong ability to listen. “You run a small business, and you have to learn to listen,” he said with a chuckle. “Particularly if your wife is the president of the company.”
“I’m eager to get out there and listen to people,” he said. “I’m jazzed. I’m thrilled to be at it again.”