Montana House of Representatives District 62 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Montana, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Montana House of Representatives District 62 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 62

Incumbent Ed Stafman defeated Marc Greendorfer in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 62 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ed Stafman (D)	72.9	4,734
		Marc Greendorfer (R)	27.1	1,762

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,496
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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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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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

I'll provide common sense solutions to the issues that matter to Montanans.

I support law enforcement, parents' rights and the rule of law.

I am the son of a Holocaust survivor and am concerned about the intolerant rhetoric that is so common now.

Ed Stafman (D)

Rising housing costs, rents, and property taxes are making it difficult for people to live in Bozeman, and difficult for local businesses to find employees. Workforce issues have especially hit healthcare and schools.. I support policies which will result in building more homes for people who live here, as opposed to out of state second homeowners and short term investors, who remove homes from prospective residents. I also support lowering property taxes for those whose homes are their primary residence, and for a local option sales tax that focuses on luxury items for tourists who use our roads and parks. Also, the State must pay its fair share of education and medicaid expenses, rather than passing those expenses on to homeowners.

I support our Montana constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. As we confront the climate crisis, we must reduce our reliance on fossil fuels through a combination of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the development of clean, renewable, and reliable energy sources. We can achieve this goal AND create or provide transitions into good Montana jobs. Also, as a hiker, biker, skier, and kayaker, I’m committed to keeping Montana pristine and will always advocate for our environment, preserving our public lands for recreation, hunting, and fishing. I’m proud to be endorsed by the Montana Conservation Voters, the Montana Sierra Club, and to have 100% ratings from several conservation groups that publish ratings.

i support the right to privacy laid out in Montana's constitution, and all that it protects, including families' and women's health care decisions. While the Montana Republican party platform calls for a ban on all abortion, and rejected exceptions for rape, incest or the health of the mother, I believe that government has no business inserting itself between a woman and her doctor. I also believe in ag-appropriate sex education so as to reduce unwanted pregnancies, as well as protected the right to contraceptives.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

It is critical for our constitutional republic, and the state of Montana, to ensure that we listen to all voices but legislate based on the state Constitution and the rule of law. Too often now, the loud voices dictate policy and deprive the citizenry of their right to be heard.

Ed Stafman (D)

I'm committed to improving our broken mental health and nursing care systems. I am the only freshman to be elected to chair a major committee (on a bipartisan vote) – the Interim Children, Families, Health & Human Services committee. Working together, my bipartisan committee has produced eight bills (four of which I proposed) which, if passed by the full legislature, will dramatically improve Montana’s mental health system. We must stop sending Montana kids out of state by adequately funding our Montana facilities. We must reverse the loss of mental health crisis beds and nursing home slots by developing new means of delivering these services.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Ed Stafman (D)

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (who went to high school with my mother). I'm influenced by here admonition to “fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” I also am influenced by many of my seminary teachers who emphasized that "the only was to get it together... is together."

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

The US Constitution and the Federalist Papers.

Ed Stafman (D)

"Night" by Elie Wiesel. He teaches there that hope is an active thing. It is the belief that everything we do makes a difference and even if we don't see that difference in our lifetime, we must have hope that it will eventually land and matter.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

Adherence to the rule of law.

Ed Stafman (D)

I am driven by ethics, as laid out by the Biblical prophets Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah. We are here to share our bounty with others and make the world a better place. I also am influenced by one of my teachers, who was fond of saying that the only way to get it together is together.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

I will represent all voter in this district, not just the base of my party.

Ed Stafman (D)

As a rabbi, I listen to people. As a legislator, I've knocked the doors of nearly my entire district and listened to them. They sometimes teach me what I don't know. As a representative, my job is to represent, not carry forward and ideological agenda, and that's what I do.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

Being open minded, listening to what all constituents want, rather than just the base, and ensuring that personal preferences do not guide how a legislator legislates.

Ed Stafman (D)

To listen to his/her constituents and other legislators and to be in dialogue with them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

Preserving the character of Montana while putting in place a structure to ensure that progress is not denied.

Ed Stafman (D)

Hope.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Ed Stafman (D)

I remember the assassination of President Kennedy and the sadness that followed. I also remember the early space flights and how proud one felt to be an American.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Ed Stafman (D)

In high school, I worked as a baker, and as a counselor for underprivileged children in the summers. In In college, II worked as a waiter, and later as later as a computer programmer. upon graduation from law school, I worked for 25 years as a civil rights and criminal defense attorney. I then returned to school for eight years where I completed the coursework for a Ph.D. in Religion and was ordained as a Rabbi. I then served the Bozeman community as rabbi for 10 years, and am now Rabbi Emeritus.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/A

Ed Stafman (D)

Non-fiction: The Righteous Mind or "Night" by Elie Wiesel Fiction: The Grapes of Wrath

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/A

Ed Stafman (D)

Bilbo Baggins?

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/A

Ed Stafman (D)

Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/A

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

Comity with oversight. That is, partisan attacks and grandstanding to appease the loud voices should give way to cooperation and civility, but the independence of the executive and the legislative branches of state government must be respected and supported.

Ed Stafman (D)

Ideally, one of collaboration.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

Managing growth while balancing the things that make Montana so appealing to so many with that growth.

Ed Stafman (D)

The greatest challenges will be dealing with growth and its implications for housing, workforce, and our public health care systems, including mental health care and nursing homes. Additionally, transitioning away from carbon will require a careful balancing of addressing the climate crisis and assuring that we have the energy we need.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/A

Ed Stafman (D)

A unicameral legislature may save money, but there is less input on policy without the checks of a second house.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

It's not necessary. This country was founded as a republic that depends on citizens as lawmakers and political executives. We should strive to return to a system where political offices were held by individuals who were not professional legislators or politicians.

Ed Stafman (D)

Depends on the person.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Marc Greendorfer (R)

Yes, the worst thing that can happen is to isolate oneself, as a legislator. The more legislators (and everyone) interact with one another, the better the chance that they will resist extremism.

Ed Stafman (D)

Absolutely. In all of life, good relationships are keys to success. Good relationships assure that we listen to one another and that we are open to changing our views when we hear different views from people who we respect.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/a

Ed Stafman (D)

Independent commission.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/A

Ed Stafman (D)

N/A

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/A

Ed Stafman (D)

I served on Judiciary and Health & Human Services. The first is highly contentious and has the minority party mostly playing defense. The second is much more cooperative and there are opportunities to make real progress. there.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/A

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

No.

Ed Stafman (D)

No.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/A

Ed Stafman (D)

Recently, a woman reached out top me when her paraplegic mother's nursing home announced its closure and she couldn't find another spot elsewhere. It reminded me how serious this problem is and how much attention it needs. Also, recently, after Republicans voted to reduce requirements for childhood vaccines, a woman called to tell me about her experience with polio when she was a child. This was impactful.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Marc Greendorfer (R)

N/A

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

Yes.

Ed Stafman (D)

Yes.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Marc Greendorfer (R)

Yes, as long as it is based on ensuring that the resulting policy is in line with the interests of the voters and the state and federal Constitutions.

Ed Stafman (D)

Yes, generally speaking.

See also

More about these elections:

• Montana House of Representatives elections, 2022

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