Article published Nov 2, 2007

Local groups announce endorsements

By RICHARD ECKE

Tribune Staff Writer

More endorsements have been announced in races for mayor and city commissioner.

A local Native American group has issued endorsements in the city government race. Tommy Stiffarm and Glenn Gopher, officials with United Native Voters, urged fellow Native Americans to vote for Ed McKnight for mayor and Mary Jolley and Stuart Lewin for City Commission.

Stiffarm said the endorsed candidates spent time at a recent round-dance celebration at the fairgrounds, adding McKnight spent two days there. Mayoral candidate Susan Kahn also appeared at the round dance, he said.

Stiffarm said the candidates' opposition to the proposed coal-fired Highwood Generating Station also was a factor; Gopher expressed concern about climate change.

"Mother Nature will rebel if we don't take care of it," Gopher said Thursday.

Commissioner candidate Elna Hensley said Thursday that she is endorsed by the Great Falls firefighters' union, which also has endorsed Mayor Dona Stebbins and commissioner candidate Bill Bronson.

Hensley also reported being endorsed, along with Bronson, by the Montana Realtors Association political action committee in Great Falls.

In another endorsement, Cascade County Young Republicans backed mayoral candidate Larry H. Steele, who is chairman of the group.

The city general election is Tuesday.