Jon embodies the all-American values of honor and truthfulness; he knows how to work hard and he wants to work on behalf of the people of Montana. The state is his home and he wants to use his term in office to preserve everything he loves about the state and introduce legislation that will help carry it into the future.

“The America I grew up in was about neighbors and community. It was about hard work and integrity. It was a place where you knew that a man’s handshake meant his word. I am blessed – I still live in a corner of America where that is true.” – Jon Tester

What Makes Jon an Extraordinary, Visionary Leader?

In Washington, Jon will work to eliminate the culture of corruption which has distorted government aims and blocked the way of the peoples’ interests. Says Jon, “ I won’t just pass a law, I’ll set an example,” and he will bring more than just empty promises to his office.

Jon believes that all Americans deserve quality, affordable health care. He wants to lower medical costs and drug prices, and to establish universal health care for children. In Montana, he was a leader of the creation of the Big Sky Rx program, one of the most comprehensive drug discount programs nationwide.

Phenomenally, he was able to push through such legislation from a minority position in the state senate, illustrating his amazing ability to reach across the aisle and build consensus, tools which continued to serve him well when Democrats retook the senate and he was elected president. In his campaign he has assembled a broad community of volunteers that represent the many voices of Montana.

Jon wants to apply these same skills to leadership in the United States Senate. He will continue to serve Americans’ interests in healthcare, tax credits, and sustainable energy; but above all, he will serve them with the integrity they deserve.

Background

Jon Tester is simply a Montana man – born in Havre and raised in Chouteau County, where he learned as a farmer’s son to work hard, honor his family, and have faith. Jon talks about how Montana is still a place where a handshake is someone’s word, but Senator Burns’ behavior in Washington has made his fellow Montanans start to have doubts.

Tester has been a leader in the Montana community for years. Tester served five years as chairman of Big Sandy, Montana’s school board, and also sat on Big Sandy’s Soil Conservation Service Committee. Tester has served a variety of organizations representing farmers and masons, and was even a music teacher in the Big Sandy School District. His most recent leadership post was as elected President of the Montana Senate, after serving four terms in the Montana Legislature’s upper chamber.

Tester has been an example in innovation for rural America since the 1980s. On his family farm in Big Sandy, Tester has shifted to organic farming of wheat, barley, lentils, peas, millet, buckwheat, alfalfa, and hay.

Like the honest and productive work Tester does on his farm in Montana, Tester wants to clean up Washington, DC and get it working for America again. Tester wants to end “pay-to-play” corruption, make energy affordable, and fix the national healthcare crisis to support workers and the economy.

Race Facts

Race Type: Democratic Challenge
Primary Opponent: Won
Primary Date: June 6, 2006
General Opponent: Sen. Conrad Burns (incumbent)
General Election Date: November 7, 2006
General Election Results: Won, 49 – 48 percent