Opinion: The Independent Path to Protecting Our Democracy

I grew up in Anaconda, in the shadow of the smelter stack.

As a proud union Democrat, I was 12 years old before I realized “Damnrepublicans” was actually two words. I ran for the Montana Legislature as a Democrat, later served as Superintendent of Public Instruction, and spent my career fighting for working families. When I ran for Congress in 2000, I carried my father’s lunch bucket with me across the state as a reminder of where I came from and who I was serving.

I have supported Democrats my entire life, and I will continue to do so.

That is why some may be surprised that, in this year’s ra...