Election Day: Bozeman, Belgrade primary voters weigh in

Tuesday, Election Day: A subdued primary opening at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds and Belgrade High School Special Event Center voting sites gave way to a busy afternoon at the county courthouse, another Bozeman voting location, where seemingly unending processions of vehicles and walk-up voters dropped off ballots.

On the street in Bozeman, interest in the closely watched Democratic primary U.S. Congressional and Senate races drew a strong Democratic majority to the ballot box. The situation was the antithesis from the Belgrade Special Events Center. There, most participants were of a Republican persuasion.

Brian Sorge voted the Democrat ticket at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. He was particularly excited about U.S. Congressional candidate Russell Cleveland, a rancher, Navy veteran and former Colorado childcare owner.

A typically Democratic voter, Sorge said he opts for candidates “contrary to Trump,” someone who “enforces checks and balances.”

Cleveland faces smokejumper and union leader Sam Forstag; Ryan Busse, former firearms executive, author and 2024 gubernatorial candidate; and Matt Rains, a rancher, veteran, and international photographer. That Rains was absent from the minds of voters the Chronicle encountered could be a harbinger for Tuesday’s results.

Cleveland is the “most consistent and grounded” candidate on the ballot, for Sorge.

The Democratic winner faces one of three Republicans vying to succeed 1st Congressional District Rep. Ryan Zinke: Conservative firebrand veteran “Montana Talks” radio host Aaron Flint, Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, and veteran surgeon and prior candidate Dr. Al Olszewski.

Sorge also stressed the importance of flipping the U.S. Senate blue in November.

Democratic candidates vying to flip outgoing Republican Sen. Steve Daines’ seat include: Veteran Air Force commander, special agent and leadership coach Alani Bankhead; tribal historic preservation officer Michael Black Wolf; Navy veteran and businessman Michael Hummer; former state Rep. Reilly Neill; and actor, director, arts administrator and teacher Christopher Kehoe.

Republican Senate primary contenders are former federal prosecutor Kurt Alme and Native politician Charles A. Walking Child. The Associated Press called the race for Alme at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Bozeman resident Albert McDonald, who brought his dog, Jango, to drop off his ballot at the Gallatin County Courthouse, only voted for Forstag and Bankhead.

“I only voted for two people,” McDonald said, “I like (both) candidates and what they stand for.

McDonald got an “I voted” sticker from poll workers. Jango recieved gratis treats.

“To be honest I didn’t look at the platform,” said another voter who filled in Forstag’s bubble but wished to remain anonymous. “I saw a lot of (Forstag’s) commercials, that he is endorsed by Bernie Sanders. That’s what put him over the edge for me.”

Bozeman resident Katherine Wright has an independent streak, but voted on the Democratic ticket because she felt the party has the most potential for tangible change. She enjoys primaries more than general elections.

“I had to vote Democrat, but would have liked to vote Independent,” Wright said. “I love the idea of an independent. I don’t like a ballot that restricts, that’s dumb.”

Wright found Bankhead the most interesting, although she voted for an unknown man she declined to name because he was more “pragmatic.”

Although she did not fill the bubble in next to his name, Wright also had positive words for Ryan Busse.

“I think (Busse) should get (the nomination),” Wright said. “I hope he gets it, but I put my vote in for someone else. (Busse) has more experience. The battle he has had with the gun industry is interesting. It shows he’s an independent thinker.”

Wright said she’d vote Republican if the party could produce a candidate or platform that “made sense.”

“Back in the day, it only mattered if the candidate could govern,” Wright said. “Now it’s who you have allegiance to and that’s not healthy.”

Bozeman resident Linda Chambless voted Republican.

“I spent this morning looking,” Chambless said. She only recognized Aaron Flint’s name on the ballot. Chambless voted in his favor.

Belgrade ballots

After casting his ballot, 55-year-old lifetime Belgrade resident Mickey Survoy confided in the Chronicle outside the Belgrade High School Special Event Center that “primaries are pretty important,” .

The Republican-aligned Survoy voted for Alme and Flint. He said Montana should be “running the government with less waste and fraud.”

Republican Belgrade residents Jon, 69, and Cheryl Patteron, 68, also cast their ballots on-site.

Jon voted for Flint and Alme for Congress and Senate, and Dan Wilson for Seat Four on the Montana Supreme Court.

Concerns regarding property taxes and voter ID laws brought the couple to the ballot box.

“We definitely need a voter ID,” Jon said, noting the “light” noon turnout.

Republican Belgrade resident Stan Cornell voted for Jedidiah Hinkle, who is running for Montana House District 67, and Caleb Hinkle, who is running for the neighboring District 68. He also voted for Alme.

Incumbent Jedidiah’s seat is contested by former Belgrade Mayor Russell Nelson. In a last-minute swap, Jedidiah’s brother, Caleb, withdrew his HD 68 re-election filing. He is instead running against incumbent Shelley Vance for Senate District 34.

“I know all three of them professionally,” Cornell said of the candidates.

“Illegal migrants” brought Cornell to the polls.

Belgrade resident Stephen Proctor, 37, voted Democrat.

“I think everyone should vote,” Proctor said, adding he couldn’t remember who he voted for. “I kinda hate the government right now.”