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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Candidate Curtis Campaigns On Women's Issues In Billings

Jackie Yamanaka

Democratic US Senate Candidate Amanda Curtis says the contrast between her and her Republican opponent couldn’t be more clear than when it comes to issues on women.

Curtis held a noon time rally on the lawn outside the Yellowstone County Courthouse Wednesday.

Curtis often talks about her working class, blue collar roots, and contrasts that against her wealthy Republican opponent.

The high school math teacher from Butte says the differences couldn’t be more stark when it comes to women’s issues.

Curtis says Congressman Steve Daines should be commended for voting for the Violence Against Women’s Act.

"But when it came time to put his money where his mouth is to fund the essential services that law enforcement and medical professionals provide to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, Congressman Daines refused," Curtis said. "He went right back to Washington after using this as a political photo-op and voted not to fund the Violence Against Women Act."

"That would be an unfortunate misstatement of the facts and a distortion," said Jason Theilman.

Thielman is the campaign manager for Daines. He says the Republican did in fact vote for the Senate version of the bill which later was signed into law.

"The facts are this, Steve was one of the few Republicans that bucked his own party’s leadership to do what was right for Montana," he said.

Thielman says it's unfortunate the Democratic candidate is using this as a wedge issue for political gain.

Curtis also blasts Daines for his votes when it comes to health care for women. This includes on the issue of abortion.

The Daines campaign confirms the Republican opposes all abortions except in cases to save the life of the mother. Thielman says Daines is pro-life.

Curtis says Daines’ opposition to abortions includes in cases of rape or incest.

"I trust women to make the same decisions about their health care that men make about theirs," Curtis says.

Then she takes a poke at Daines' “Less Government” slogan.

"All Montanans have a crystal clear choice this November between a woman who believes less government means a health care decision should be made between her and her doctor and another man who wants to make those decisions for her."

She says she’ll follow through on the promise of equality made by the first female member of Congress, Jeanette Rankin of Montana.

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