Changing of the Guard: Bryce Bennett is the latest in a line of young Missoula politicians
Story by Justin Franz - Photo by Steel Brooks
Published in the Montana Kaimin, November 3, 2010
AS RAINDROPS start to stain his stack of papers, Bryce Bennett squints to see the next name on his list of possible voters late last Monday evening. Walking along leaf-covered streets in the Rattlesnake, Bennett prepares to deliver a line he's given hundreds of times over the last year as he approaches the door and knocks.
A few moments later, a young college student in sweatpants answers the door and Bennett goes into his pitch, holding his free hand out just above his chest.
"Hi, my name is Bryce Bennett and I'm running for state legislature in this area and I'd like to talk to you about the issues you think are facing the state."
Bennett wears black dress pants and a button-down blue shirt and looks more like a kid ready for Sunday mass than a seasoned politician. But at 25 years old he's making history, becoming the youngest representive in the current legislature and the first openly gay male to serve in Helena.
BENNETT GREW up in Hysham, east of Billings, and moved to the Missoula area when he was 9 years old. Attending The University of Montana, he majored in communications and minored in non-profit administration. While at UM he was involved with various campus groups, including ASUM, where he served as a senator for two years. The experience was his first taste of politics and he said it was a valuable learning opportunity.
"It's not as simple as they make it seem on the School House Rock video about how a bill becomes a law," he said. "It's a lot more about the relationships you build and the coalitions you can form."
Following graduation in 2007, he began to work for the Democratic Party in preparation for the 2008 presidential election. Then he worked in the legislature in Helena during the 2009 session and finally for Forward Montana, a Missoula-based group with the mission of getting young people involved with the political process.
In the summer of 2009, when House District 92 Rep. Robin Hamilton announced that he would not seek another term, Bennett decided to take a chance and run to replace the Democrat.
Even though he was active in various campaigns and issues, he said the idea of running for political office was a distant one, even just a few years ago.
"I know people who go like, ‘Oh in four years I think I'm going to run for state legislature' and I think it's impressive that you can plan out your life that way," he said. "For me, I'm looking a little more short term. We decided to run when the seat was open."
The district, which has traditionally voted for Democrats, is 771 square miles and stretches from the Lower Rattlesnake in Missoula north to Seeley and Condon. According to the 2000 census, the area had 8,881 people in it, but that number has likely hit over 10,000 in the last decade and 6,000 of those people are registered voters.
Bennett wasn't the only one keeping an eye on the open seat, when former high school principal and teacher Don Harbaugh, 69, joined the race as the Republican candidate. Harbaugh hoped to bank on name recognition and experience that he said his younger opponent lacked.
According to Bennett, his age has been one of the biggest issues he's faced while campaigning, although he has seen less of it in the months since the primary in June.
"I used to joke with people during the primary that the question I get most is ‘How old are you?'" he said. "There are a few people out there who see the age as some sort of downfall, but a lot of people are excited at the fact that I'm young and getting involved with politics."
With his election, Bennett has become the youngest member of the current legislature in Helena, as well as the first openly gay man to serve. Bennett said that on some occasions people have taken issue with his sexuality, but he can only count the number of times it has come up during the campaign on one hand.
STILL SEARCHING for votes, Bennett continues his trip through the dusk knocking on as many doors as he can. It's a familiar trip, one he's been making for over a year.
"This is the third time we've come this year, so they're sick and tired of me," he jokes as he walks to another house.
Walking through the front gate and up the steps to another porch, Bennett raps his fist on the door and waits. Inside, an older gentlemen scolds his barking dog and opens the door.
Bennett jumps right into his pitch but is stopped prematurely. The man has heard it before and has decided to vote for the political newcomer.
Bennett thanks him and turns to walk down the steps.
"Have a good night," he says, as he walks away.
"Well I hope you have a good election night," the man responds.
This has been a good evening for Bennett who sports a tired but unfaltering smile as he walks away with another promised vote.
"Anytime you can get some votes, it's a great feeling," he said.
Using a system created by the Democratic party, Bennett asks every person he talks to if he can count on their vote. Depending on their response, he rates the likelihood of a vote on a one-to-five scale, with one being ‘likely.'
Tonight he's gotten a lot of ones.
BENNETT IS one of about a half-dozen people under the age of 35 to run for political office in the Missoula area in recent years.
In 2006, Michele Reinhart, 30, was elected state representative in House District 97.
In 2007, Jason Wiener, 33, was elected city councilman in Ward One.
In 2009, Roy Houseman, 29, was elected city councilman in Ward Two.
In 2010, Ellie Hill, 35, was elected state representative in House District 94.
Hill is originally from Boise, where she was an attorney. She moved here five years ago to become executive director of the Poverello Center, Montana's largest homeless shelter. In June she won the Democratic primary in House District 94 and since there was no Republican candidate in the general election, instantly became representative-elect.
Hill said the election of Wiener in 2007 was one of the first big wins for young politicians and that, in her opinion, people in Missoula and Montana have always felt a duty to the common good. That duty is something that is emerging from the area's young people who don't want to see the same faces in government.
"We don't want our legislature to just be old, white men," she said.
Hill's district is one of 100 in the state of Montana, each representing approximately 10,000 people. According to UM political science Professor James Lopach, the small size of each district has made winning easier for political unknowns like Bennett.
"It's easy for an unknown person with little money to go out and campaign," Lopach said, adding that the energy that comes with youth can only help in a long campaign.
Lopach said that unlike other places, where legislative candidates are usually well-known in their communities, in Montana it is much easier to go out and meet many of the voters face-to-face.
"I don't think it's anything new, it's just our districting system in Montana accommodates that," he said.
In Missoula, many of those candidates have been younger and it's just what Forward Montana Executive Director Andrea Marcoccio wants to see. The group was started in 2006 with the goal of increasing youth interest in local politics and issues. To do this they've organized voter registration events, including the popular "Trick or Vote" event held on Sunday and the Progressive Happy Hour at the Badlander.
"We make politics fun and engaging," Marcoccio said.
All of this is aimed at pushing progressive issues and giving young people the skills to be the next generation of leaders in Montana.
Much of the group's work has resulted in young, progressive politicians, including Councilman Houseman, a UM student and former millworker at the now closed Smurfit Stone facility in Frenchtown.
Elected in 2009, Houseman was just another example of Forward Montana's work. Houseman believes that much of it has to do with the young community thanks to UM, and he says it is no surprise that young people are taking notice of government service.
"I think there is some level of the changing of the guard in Missoula," he said.
STANDING ON the side of the road in the Upper Rattlesnake, Bennett extends his hand to another supporter. But this one is different.
With a wide smile, fresh pressed shirt, bolo tie and blue jeans, Gov. Brian Schweitzer congratulates the young candidate on a well-organized campaign and encourages him to keep working during the next few days. Schweitzer has come to lend his campaigning skills to Bennett.
"This is how we win these elections," Schweitzer says, as the two walk up the front steps of a small house, his black-and-white Border Collie, Jag, following close behind.
Knocking on the door, Schweitzer takes over Bennett's well-practiced pitch as a mother and her young son open the door in a politically perfect scene.
Schweitzer talks of building a Montana for the next generation and that some of the best ideas for that future can come from young people like Bennett.
"I want them to remind me every single day why I got there," Schweitzer says. "Having an influx of young people with new ideas to stir the pot, that's the greatest asset that we can bring to the legislature.
"Bring ‘em young and bring ‘em with ideas and ideals."
Published in the Montana Kaimin, November 3, 2010
AS RAINDROPS start to stain his stack of papers, Bryce Bennett squints to see the next name on his list of possible voters late last Monday evening. Walking along leaf-covered streets in the Rattlesnake, Bennett prepares to deliver a line he's given hundreds of times over the last year as he approaches the door and knocks.
A few moments later, a young college student in sweatpants answers the door and Bennett goes into his pitch, holding his free hand out just above his chest.
"Hi, my name is Bryce Bennett and I'm running for state legislature in this area and I'd like to talk to you about the issues you think are facing the state."
Bennett wears black dress pants and a button-down blue shirt and looks more like a kid ready for Sunday mass than a seasoned politician. But at 25 years old he's making history, becoming the youngest representive in the current legislature and the first openly gay male to serve in Helena.
BENNETT GREW up in Hysham, east of Billings, and moved to the Missoula area when he was 9 years old. Attending The University of Montana, he majored in communications and minored in non-profit administration. While at UM he was involved with various campus groups, including ASUM, where he served as a senator for two years. The experience was his first taste of politics and he said it was a valuable learning opportunity.
"It's not as simple as they make it seem on the School House Rock video about how a bill becomes a law," he said. "It's a lot more about the relationships you build and the coalitions you can form."
Following graduation in 2007, he began to work for the Democratic Party in preparation for the 2008 presidential election. Then he worked in the legislature in Helena during the 2009 session and finally for Forward Montana, a Missoula-based group with the mission of getting young people involved with the political process.
In the summer of 2009, when House District 92 Rep. Robin Hamilton announced that he would not seek another term, Bennett decided to take a chance and run to replace the Democrat.
Even though he was active in various campaigns and issues, he said the idea of running for political office was a distant one, even just a few years ago.
"I know people who go like, ‘Oh in four years I think I'm going to run for state legislature' and I think it's impressive that you can plan out your life that way," he said. "For me, I'm looking a little more short term. We decided to run when the seat was open."
The district, which has traditionally voted for Democrats, is 771 square miles and stretches from the Lower Rattlesnake in Missoula north to Seeley and Condon. According to the 2000 census, the area had 8,881 people in it, but that number has likely hit over 10,000 in the last decade and 6,000 of those people are registered voters.
Bennett wasn't the only one keeping an eye on the open seat, when former high school principal and teacher Don Harbaugh, 69, joined the race as the Republican candidate. Harbaugh hoped to bank on name recognition and experience that he said his younger opponent lacked.
According to Bennett, his age has been one of the biggest issues he's faced while campaigning, although he has seen less of it in the months since the primary in June.
"I used to joke with people during the primary that the question I get most is ‘How old are you?'" he said. "There are a few people out there who see the age as some sort of downfall, but a lot of people are excited at the fact that I'm young and getting involved with politics."
With his election, Bennett has become the youngest member of the current legislature in Helena, as well as the first openly gay man to serve. Bennett said that on some occasions people have taken issue with his sexuality, but he can only count the number of times it has come up during the campaign on one hand.
STILL SEARCHING for votes, Bennett continues his trip through the dusk knocking on as many doors as he can. It's a familiar trip, one he's been making for over a year.
"This is the third time we've come this year, so they're sick and tired of me," he jokes as he walks to another house.
Walking through the front gate and up the steps to another porch, Bennett raps his fist on the door and waits. Inside, an older gentlemen scolds his barking dog and opens the door.
Bennett jumps right into his pitch but is stopped prematurely. The man has heard it before and has decided to vote for the political newcomer.
Bennett thanks him and turns to walk down the steps.
"Have a good night," he says, as he walks away.
"Well I hope you have a good election night," the man responds.
This has been a good evening for Bennett who sports a tired but unfaltering smile as he walks away with another promised vote.
"Anytime you can get some votes, it's a great feeling," he said.
Using a system created by the Democratic party, Bennett asks every person he talks to if he can count on their vote. Depending on their response, he rates the likelihood of a vote on a one-to-five scale, with one being ‘likely.'
Tonight he's gotten a lot of ones.
BENNETT IS one of about a half-dozen people under the age of 35 to run for political office in the Missoula area in recent years.
In 2006, Michele Reinhart, 30, was elected state representative in House District 97.
In 2007, Jason Wiener, 33, was elected city councilman in Ward One.
In 2009, Roy Houseman, 29, was elected city councilman in Ward Two.
In 2010, Ellie Hill, 35, was elected state representative in House District 94.
Hill is originally from Boise, where she was an attorney. She moved here five years ago to become executive director of the Poverello Center, Montana's largest homeless shelter. In June she won the Democratic primary in House District 94 and since there was no Republican candidate in the general election, instantly became representative-elect.
Hill said the election of Wiener in 2007 was one of the first big wins for young politicians and that, in her opinion, people in Missoula and Montana have always felt a duty to the common good. That duty is something that is emerging from the area's young people who don't want to see the same faces in government.
"We don't want our legislature to just be old, white men," she said.
Hill's district is one of 100 in the state of Montana, each representing approximately 10,000 people. According to UM political science Professor James Lopach, the small size of each district has made winning easier for political unknowns like Bennett.
"It's easy for an unknown person with little money to go out and campaign," Lopach said, adding that the energy that comes with youth can only help in a long campaign.
Lopach said that unlike other places, where legislative candidates are usually well-known in their communities, in Montana it is much easier to go out and meet many of the voters face-to-face.
"I don't think it's anything new, it's just our districting system in Montana accommodates that," he said.
In Missoula, many of those candidates have been younger and it's just what Forward Montana Executive Director Andrea Marcoccio wants to see. The group was started in 2006 with the goal of increasing youth interest in local politics and issues. To do this they've organized voter registration events, including the popular "Trick or Vote" event held on Sunday and the Progressive Happy Hour at the Badlander.
"We make politics fun and engaging," Marcoccio said.
All of this is aimed at pushing progressive issues and giving young people the skills to be the next generation of leaders in Montana.
Much of the group's work has resulted in young, progressive politicians, including Councilman Houseman, a UM student and former millworker at the now closed Smurfit Stone facility in Frenchtown.
Elected in 2009, Houseman was just another example of Forward Montana's work. Houseman believes that much of it has to do with the young community thanks to UM, and he says it is no surprise that young people are taking notice of government service.
"I think there is some level of the changing of the guard in Missoula," he said.
STANDING ON the side of the road in the Upper Rattlesnake, Bennett extends his hand to another supporter. But this one is different.
With a wide smile, fresh pressed shirt, bolo tie and blue jeans, Gov. Brian Schweitzer congratulates the young candidate on a well-organized campaign and encourages him to keep working during the next few days. Schweitzer has come to lend his campaigning skills to Bennett.
"This is how we win these elections," Schweitzer says, as the two walk up the front steps of a small house, his black-and-white Border Collie, Jag, following close behind.
Knocking on the door, Schweitzer takes over Bennett's well-practiced pitch as a mother and her young son open the door in a politically perfect scene.
Schweitzer talks of building a Montana for the next generation and that some of the best ideas for that future can come from young people like Bennett.
"I want them to remind me every single day why I got there," Schweitzer says. "Having an influx of young people with new ideas to stir the pot, that's the greatest asset that we can bring to the legislature.
"Bring ‘em young and bring ‘em with ideas and ideals."