Salomon running as lone Lake County senator

Dan Salomon is running as the Republican candidate in the Senate District 47 race. 

For Dan Salomon, the race for Montana’s Senate District 47 seat revolves around the issues resonating with local residents. 

“If I don’t win, Lake County will not have a senator,” said Salomon, the current Republic representative for House District 93. 

After recent redistricting divided the eastern side of the county into an area represented by Sen. Lea Whitford, D-Browning, Salomon said local voices are at a risk of being lost. And while his opponent Tom France of Missoula has toured the Mission Valley, Salomon prides himself with having a finger on the pulse of county residents. 

For the dairy farmer who lives outside Pablo, the issue of funding local governments looms especially large. Salomon said a major challenge resides in Public Law 280, under which Lake County assumes jurisdiction for felony crimes that occur on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Salomon said the county is struggling under the responsibility, especially considering its inability to garner revenue from large tracts of tax-exempt federal land.

“It’s a conversation that needs to be had,” Salomon said. 

Although such a discussion would likely prove complicated, Salomon said understands the patient and diligence it requires to pass legislation. 

“I always get a chuckle out of these guys who go in saying they are going to change this and that,” he said. “It takes a lot of work.”

Salomon has a record of willingness to work between the aisles. During the 2015 legislature, he carried the bill to ratify the controversial water compact with Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, despite strong opposition from many of his fellow party members. A self described conservative Republican, Salomon said he’s willing to talk with all parties involved, despite the potential for political fallout. 

“People have started to question my conservatism,” he said. “Some people probably don’t even consider me a Republican anymore.” 

With the water compact moving on to Washington D.C., Salomon said he plans to support natural resource development as an option to boost state revenue. He said Montana should take advantage of its coal and timber reserves, both of which have been locked up through over-regulation. 

In addition to a supporter of industry, Salomon considers himself an advocate for education as well. He said the state should promote science and technology programs, rather than remain bogged down in meeting Common Core school standards. 

During the last legislative session, Salomon said he was impressed by the ability of lawmakers to come together efficiently and pass the bill funding education without delay. If he returns to Helena, Salomon said he will work to repeat that process. 

“I’d love to see that happen again,” Salomon said.