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Jim O'Hara
Jim O'Hara was a Republican candidate for Governor of Montana in the 2012 election. He and his running mate, Scott Swingley, finished fourth in the June 5th primary election.[1]
Biography
O'Hara was born on January 14, 1954 in Fort Benton, Montana. He comes from a family of farmers, but left the trade in the mid-1990s. He is a construction worker and owner of the Daily Grind, a coffee shop and bakery in Great Falls.
O'Hara attended Montana State University, where he studied agriculture and art.[2]
Elections
2012
O'Hara sought the Republican nomination for Governor of Montana. He and his running mate, Scott Swingley, finished fourth in a field of seven candidate pairs in the June 5th primary election.[1]
Issues
On his campaign website, O'Hara identifies three main issues:[3]
- Agriculture
- Energy
- Water
According to the Billings Gazette, O'Hara has taken a stance on other issues as well:
- Eminent domain: O'Hara said he supports eminent domain, granting utilities and private companies, including transmission line companies, the right to condemn private land for projects such as power lines.
- Farm subsidies: O'Hara defended subsidies as a way to keep smaller farms in business but opposed seeing "giant corporations" receiving them. Subsidies have helped Americans enjoy the cheapest food in the world, he said.
- Medical marijuana: A limited number of Montanans need marijuana for medical reasons, he said, and they should be able to legally obtain it under state law. "I think it has been abused," he said. "It shouldn't be used recreationally."
- Public employee and teacher pensions: O'Hara said he would oppose using tax dollars to shore up these pension funds, which combined have unfunded liabilities, or potential deficits, exceeding $3 billion. "There are some sacrifices that have to be made," he ssaid.[2]
See also
- Montana gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2012
- Gubernatorial elections, 2012
- Governor of Montana
- Lieutenant Governor of Montana
External links
Footnotes
