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Marvin Sather

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Marvin Sather

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Democratic Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Whitworth College, 1967

Graduate

University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, 1970

Personal
Birthplace
Kalispell, Mont.
Religion
United Methodist
Profession
Educator
Contact

Personal Facebook

Marvin Sather (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Montana House of Representatives to represent District 1. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Sather completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Marvin Sather was born in Kalispell, Montana. He earned a B.A. from Whitworth College (now Whitworth University) in June 1967 and an M.S. in teaching English from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse in August 1970. He also took graduate studies at the University of Montana, Montana State University, the University of Idaho, Portland State, Western Washington University, Utah State, and Eastern Washington University. Sather's professional experience includes working as a public school teacher, assistant high school principal, district curriculum director, and adjunct student teacher supervisor. He has served with the Lincoln County Democratic Committee, the National Education Association, Libby United Methodist Church, and the Lincoln County Community Fund Committee.[1]

Elections

2020

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 1

Incumbent Steve Gunderson defeated Marvin Sather in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Steve Gunderson
Steve Gunderson (R)
 
71.0
 
3,721
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Submit photo
Marvin Sather (D) Candidate Connection
 
29.0
 
1,518

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 5,239
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1

Marvin Sather advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 2, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Marvin Sather Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
880

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 880
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1

Incumbent Steve Gunderson advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 2, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Steve Gunderson
Steve Gunderson
 
100.0
 
2,121

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,121
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Marvin Sather completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sather's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

My inspiration came in 1960 when JFK was elected President of the United States. His words were "ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." Those words confirmed my vocation, being a teacher. I did my best each day to help my students to be the best they could be. I made classroom rules simple: Be respectful; be responsible; and work hard to learn as much you can each day (simply said, a strong work ethic. As for me, I promised: I will respect you; I will be responsible; and I will work harder than you because I want you to become the best you can be.

In 2000, I was Washington state Teacher of the Year. It was an honor to represent 65,000 teachers.

I approach this politic position the same way. I will do my best every day to represent each of you.
  • I am a good listener. I want to learn what I can do or each of you. As well, I will keep you informed as to the work I will do for you.
  • Our district has changed over the years when it comes to opportunities to work. I am searching for pathways to bring good jobs to the district.
  • I seek common ground. I am not at the extremes of political divides. I am in central field, able to reach out to all sides of many issues.
Being an educator for 50 years, public education always comes to my mind. We need well-funded schools, well-trained teachers and administrators, and communities and the state to expect the best.

Health care is critical in House District 1, given the Asbestos Related Disease issue. I understand this problem. Four of my family members have ARD, including myself and many friends are impacted as well. It is not only important as two our personal health, but also the cleanup of the district is an issue, especially with the switch from the EPA to Montana state cleanup.

Public lands are important to almost all Montana citizens. Recreation is a joy for us, and restrictions will not be appreciated. Access is important, yet I understand private lands do exist. This issue may well be a contest that will be complicated.
JFK was my hero. He inspired me to focus on others, their needs and their possibilities to be good people. My mantra can be summed up with this following quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"What is success? To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!"

It's pretty simple. But it's pretty awesome!
Speak the truth. It is self-destruction if you lie. Integrity. Be consistent if doing your best. Honor others, even if you don't agree. Listen and learn before opening your mouth. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Respect those you work with. That's how you earn respect from others. Do your work, your homework; accept your failings and learn from your mistakes. Seek common ground and be willing to compromise if possible. Laugh. At yourself, not others. Be who you are; don't fake who you are.
In not any special order: I have a strong work ethic. I am well educated. I have followed politics since I was in grade 8 and have always wanted to serve. I have empathy for those in need. I am generous of my time to help others. I am a good listener. Truth is more important than party. I believe common ground could and should be found. I have respect for any one who serves with integrity and dignity.
I gave my all and worked hard to serve you well.
My parents, my sister, and I visited my Great Uncle Henry and his wife in British Columbia. They had a big ranch with lots of cattle. There was a barbed wire fence and near their lawn and there was a small stream running through beside the fence. It the distance there was a barn and one lone cow. But it wasn't a "cow"; it was a bull. My sister and I (I was 5, my sister was 2) crawled under the fence and used rocks to build a small dam. It was a hot day, so it kept us busy. We played in the water, not realizing the bull was working his way toward us. Aunt Katy noticed where we were and the bull was coming closer. My aunt and uncle and my parents ran outside. Uncle Henry went to the woodpile and he put a piece of wood in his huge hand. He told me to crawl under the fence and he picked up my sister and lifted her over the fence to Mom. He headed straight toward the bull that was just a few yards away. He beat that bull all the way to the barn with that piece of wood. The moral of the story: check at to what is happening in your location.
A watchman for Burns Detective Agency at J.Neils Lumber Co in 1963. in Libby, MT. I was a senior in high school. I walked and "keyed" a 1-2 mile walk every hour through the entire mill. I worked from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, 6 p.m. to midnight on Monday nights, midnight to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday mornings. It was 24 hours a week and the pay was $2.00/hour. My dad knew I needed money when I would leave for college after the impending summer. I never told any of my friends that I was doing this job. It made me tired, but it taught me to take advantage of an opportunity. That's what my dad gave me: an opportunity to work hard. It was a great lesson for me. At my high school graduation, I didn't have that job anymore, but I had a job at the mill in the lumberyard, still earning $2.00/hour but time and a half on Saturdays, $3.00 hours. It was big money.
There are so many, but I will pick the book I loved to teach the most: The Catcher in the Rye

Holden Caulfield is the epitome of adolescence. Confused. Vulgar at times but sweet and passionate at times. Not trusting but trusting. Confused about love. Plays the tough guy at times but is compassionate. Wants to have sex with a prostitute but talks with her and feels sad for her. At the end, he is REAL, finding himself and has become able to trust who he is.

Yes, it was a banned book in places. It went before the school board. My students talked the school board into NOT banning the book. I was observed by a school board member. I was allowed to teach the book because it really wasn't a "dirty" book; it was helpful book for students to understand themselves and those around them.
Tom Joad, the main character in The Grapes of Wrath. Odds were always against him, but he maintained a kind of integrity of the guy that never got a break. He was raw, rough, but compassionate and always trying to do the right thing.

I like to do "the right thing."
Unchained Melody
I lost two wives, one to brain cancer and one to heart attack. Sorrow saps the soul, but my faith and my children brought me back.
The House of Representatives speaks for itself. If I am elected, my job is to "represent" you, the people. What do you think about a certain piece of legislation? What committees would you like me to a part of? What don't you understand and how could I help you to understand? Items like this go to the heart of what a representative should be.

There are two representatives in Lincoln County, there is only one Senator. He or she would have lots more ground to cover. In a way, a Senator is more remote. I would like to be a Senator.
If I am elected, I would be a rookie. It would be important to me to learn quickly from committee chairs and seasoned legislators. A representative from Butte has called me and offered some advice, and we will visit more after the primary since I am running unopposed. I am also familiar with how committees and groups work as I was often a leader of teacher unions many times. I understand the commitment it takes to be successful. I have a Master's degree and know how to deal with challenges. A work ethic helps as well. I look forward to learning from my "brothers and sisters." One is never too old to learn.
Given this is the county I grew up in and lived in for many years, the following committees seem to fit me and my district well: Education (I worked in this field for 50 years); Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (Lincoln County finds this committee to be very important); -Health and -Human Services (given that our country if still struggling with asbestos related disease, this is an extremely important topic for the people of the district); Local Government (to be a representative is to be connected to local government officials as they would be very helpful in asking for legislation and other issues).

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Footnotes

  1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 28, 2020


Current members of the Montana House of Representatives
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Speaker of the House:Brandon Ler
Majority Leader:Steve Fitzpatrick
Minority Leader:Katie Sullivan
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SJ Howell (D)
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