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. I received my ballot yesterday.

This week The Western Word is making some key endorsements for the 2010 Election. Today, I take a look at Statewide and Public Service Commission races.

Here is the agenda:

Monday: Montana House and Senate (Click HERE to read)

Tuesday: A few local races (Click HERE to read).

Today: U.S. House, State Supreme Court, PSC District #1

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 about you.

So without further delay, here are my recommendations for the 2010 Election Season for U.S. House of Representatives, Montana Supreme Court, and Public Service Commission District #1:

Public Service Commission:

I will be voting for Travis Kavulla. I’ve known him since he was just a little guy and he was always asking questions and gaining knowledge – and he did gain knowledge from Great Falls Public Schools all the way to his graduation from Harvard. Second, he’ll bring the IQ of the PSC up by about 175 points, which is a good thing because some of the members are really not that intelligent. Third, Kavulla has the energy it will take to be a great commissioner in the 19 county area of PSC District 1. He will bring some youth to the old and tired Montana Public Service Commission – something that is sorely needed.

His opponent’s major claim to fame is that he sponsored legislation that would require paper towels in public restrooms – hardly something to hang your hat on when running for Public Service Commissioner.

Please visit Kavulla’s website HERE.

Montana Supreme Court:

This race was a no-brainer for me. I will vote for Judge Nels Swandal. Frankly, I’m a little tired of the good old boy/girl network on the Montana Supreme Court. Swandal’s opponent would just be another Helena insider on the court. I noticed this by checking her website and seeing who was on her steering committee – mostly Helena insiders.

I also like the fact the Swandal wants to open the Supreme Court deliberations to the Montana media for cases that deal with Constitutional issues.

Swandal is a District Judge – a judge for 15 years. He understands the ropes of the judicial system and can hit the ground running – something his opponent is lacking. An important thing to me is that Swandal is a veteran. He knows more about service to his country than his opponent. I believe with Swandal’s background he will bring a little more of a “worker” attitude to the Court – something that is sorely needed.

Please visit Swandal’s website HERE.

U.S. House of Representatives:

Congressman Denny Rehberg should be re-elected this November. The cold hard facts are that this country is in worse shape since the Democrats gained control of the House and Senate (2007) and then when the Obama Administration took over (2009), our country sunk even further into debt and our unemployment rates hit all-time highs. The spending is out of control.

Rehberg has had some bumps along the way these past two years, but there’s one thing for sure, he works hard for Montana. He’s held well over 70 listening sessions whereas Montana’s two U.S. Senators dodged their constituents during the healthcare debate and only came out of their caves when the public forced them.

I disagreed with Rehberg on his decision to join the Tea Party Caucus and his stance against the expansion of the Powder River Training Range, which in my opinion his stance harms future military and defense missions for Montana. Rehberg needs to work much harder for Montana’s military and he needs to show more support for veterans. There are over 100,000 veterans living in Montana.

I am 100% behind Rehberg in his desire to keep Montana from becoming one big national monument and I agree with his desire to cut spending. When the GOP gains control of the U.S. House again, I expect him to keep the promise to cut spending – even if it hurts. Rehberg cannot cover the state alone, and as a House member he gets less funding and staff than our two senators to cover the same area. Nonetheless, the Rehberg team does a better job. His staffers are always out and about working hard, meeting constituents and attending meetings.

Rehberg’s opponent (Dennis McDonald) has thrown so much crap during the last couple of years that he cannot be taken seriously as a candidate. Using scenes from 9/11 in a campaign commercial was his latest attempt to gain a vote or two. Frankly, he should retreat to his ranch or maybe back to San Francisco and never be heard from again.

A vote for McDonald is basically a vote for Nancy Pelosi and her values. With Halloween approaching, that’s a scary thought.

Please visit Rehberg’s campaign site HERE.