Here we are about a month out from Election Day 2010. The absentee ballots are in the mail and the airwaves are full of campaign advertisements. It’s fun time!

So, it’s also time for The Western Word to make some endorsements for the 2010 Election. Today, I take a look at some Montana House and Senate races. Here’s the agenda:

Monday: State House and Senate

Tuesday: A few local races (Cascade County).

Wednesday: Statewide races and Public Service Commission.

In making these endorsements, I have trolled the net looking for information. I’ve visited campaign websites. I’ve checked Project Vote Smart for information. I’ve called and visited with people about candidates. I’ve also talked with some of the candidates. Some of them came to my door. Some found it was not a pleasant experience.

In some of these contests, I won’t get to cast a vote in because I live outside the voting area, but the candidate impressed me enough to give them a nod. With my readership increasing by leaps and bounds (September was an all-time high for visits to this website) I felt it was very important to let my faithful followers know which candidates I endorse.

For those candidates not listed as being endorsed, it means you probably did not impress me enough to deserve an endorsement or I just don’t care!

So without further delay, here are my recommendations for the 2010 Election Season (State Senate and House):

Senate District 13:

If you want business growth in Montana, then there’s only one choice in Senate District 13. Ed Buttrey has actually created jobs in Montana.

We need Buttrey in the State Legislature to help the state take down the obstacles that prevents businesses from succeeding here, and he knows what it takes for businesses to succeed: his business, Cable Technologies, has done well in Great Falls.

Plus, Buttrey knows the defense industry very well. He would be a valuable asset to the state in lobbying for more defense-related jobs.

The Montana Legislature is lacking of people with Buttrey’s skill and background. The residents of Senate District 13 and the state will reap the benefits of Buttrey’s work ethic and passion for the state of Montana.

So, it all comes down to this: This race is between someone who has actually created jobs in Montana and someone who has not – someone who signs the front of the paycheck and someone who signs the back.

Please visit Ed Buttrey’s website HERE.

Other endorsements for State House and Senate:

House District 20: Steve Fitzpatrick will serve the people of HD 20 well. He’s young and energetic and he will work hard for his constituents. He will not raise our taxes! He will bring a fresh perspective to Helena. Fitzpatrick will eliminate unnecessary regulation, fight to reduce frivolous lawsuits – a couple of things that hinders job creation.

Senate District 11: Jim Whitaker is a hard worker, a veteran, who deeply cares about the people of the SD-11. He is a former legislator. Whitaker won’t vote to raise taxes; he believes we are taxed too much. One great thing that he will do when elected is work to stiffen the DUI laws in the state.

House District 34: There’s nobody in the state legislature who cares more about her constituents than Representative Wendy Warburton, and I’d bet there’s nobody who works harder for them. She hit the ground running after her election and served on the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees. She’s endorsed by the NRA, Montana Shooting Sports, Chamber, and the Farm Bureau. Look for more great things from Warburton as she serves her second term in the Montana House. The folks in HD 34 are lucky to have Wendy Warburton. She defines the term “citizen legislator.”

Please visit Wendy’s website HERE.