Progressive Democrat Issue 96: JON TESTER (Montana)

Jon Tester is an organic farmer who just defeated the corrupt Republican, Conrad Burns, who has publicly advocated testing pesticides on humans. Jon Tester is one of our best new faces in the Senate. Here is what he has to say:

We did this together.

When Sharla and I sat down 18 months ago and decided that we had to try to increase opportunities for our new grand-daughter -- and your kids and your grandkids -- we knew that the road from Big Sandy to Washington, D.C. would be a long one.

Many didn't believe that we could ever complete the journey -- didn't believe that a dirt farmer from Big Sandy, whose grandparents homesteaded here, could beat an incumbent Senator with a ton of money.

But as we traveled the state and talked to people, we found we weren't alone in wanting a better future for our kids and grandkids. And from those conversations began the greatest grassroots campaign for change that Montana has ever seen.

You built that campaign. You believed. And now, 100,000 miles later -- here we are. Real Montana is ready for Real Change.

I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done. Words cannot express how deeply grateful and deeply honored Sharla and I are for the hard work and support that grassroots and netroots Democrats gave to this campaign. You opened up your schedules, opened up your wallets, and opened up your hearts to make Montana and our country a better place.

And because of your hard work and efforts, hundreds of thousands of Montanans joined you and our call for change on Election Day.

This never would have happened without you.

The message sent by Montanans in this election is clear: it is time to get to work. Time to make government work again for ordinary Montanans. Time to fix health care. Time to achieve energy independence. Time to find a plan to end the crisis in Iraq and bring our troops home. Time to restore the Montana values of honesty and integrity to the United States Senate. And time to end destructive party politics and work together for real solutions and real change in Montana and this great nation...

But most of all, I want to thank the people of Montana and you for all of your hard work. There aren't many places in this great country where a small family farmer with just a few acres could make it to the United States Senate...

Winston Churchill said that politicians work for the next election, and that statesmen work for the next generation. I will do my best to work for the next generation of Montanans, and to get this country moving forward again for the benefit of Montana's working families.

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