Voices: Whitney Williams good for working families

For nearly 60 years I have been actively engaged in Montana elections, always measuring candidates through the prism of which one is best for workers, family farmers and ranchers, and those less fortunate. In my humble opinion, the best of Montana’s candidates for Governor is Whitney Williams.

Like Whitney Williams, I started my political education at my parents’ kitchen table where I learned about the need for unions and the need to elect progressive leaders. While in college, I worked at the Laurel refinery, where I was privileged to serve as a representative for workers. I eventually moved to Helena to become active in our statewide labor movement. My late wife Arlene and I became close friends with Pat and Carol Williams – and so you see, I’ve known Whitney all her life.

Whitney has always been whip-smart and determined to make a difference. She has the pulse of working people in her blood and bones. Her family history is peppered with legendary union stories – such as when her grandmother sheltered and fed those gathering to form the Teachers’ Union on the second floor of the American Candy Shop in Butte.

Her dad, Congressman Pat Williams, famously used his considerable clout to protect workers – in unions or not – during his time in Congress. Her mom, former Senator Carol Williams, did the same in our state Senate. Whitney’s first job out of college was to archive and preserve the history of Butte’s powerful Women’s Protective Union. It’s quite an impressive working family pedigree.

And yet there’s more: Twenty years ago, Whitney formed an international business that helps people in need all over the globe. She is a savvy businesswoman, working with leaders from all across the political spectrum to make positive change for those at the bottom end of the economy, as well as businesses and governments. Whitney has demonstrated her ability to improve the lives of working people by fostering stable, safe and productive workplaces.

Whitney is the best candidate to go on to victory in the general election. Today, more than ever, workers in all industries need an innovator to meet the challenges we face. Whitney can bring people together to solve problems and she’ll make sure working people have a seat at the table.

Whitney has the experience to go one-on-one with Greg Gianforte. Whitney has worked around the world to lift people up. Whitney has the chops and the profile to work with all Montanans to ensure working families have a fighting chance, whether that is through ensuring worker safety laws are preserved, improving access and affordability to healthcare, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, investing in good schools throughout the whole state, and protecting hunting and fishing rights in public spaces.

Working families and their unions will have no better Governor than Whitney. My good friend, former Governor Brian Schweitzer, endorsed Whitney and is lending her his famous “veto” branding iron. He knows, like I do, that Whitney has the courage to veto bills that hurt workers, punish women and stifle our economy.

Now, in full disclosure, you should know Whitney Williams is my God-daughter.  When Pat and Carol asked me to take on that task, they also wanted me to help guide Whitney along the lines of committing to our collective cause – helping workers, unions and those less fortunate, to fight for fair taxes and a balanced economy. It has been my honor and privilege to serve in this role.

I can promise you that Whitney Williams is good for working families all across our economy. She deserves our support and vote in June and in November.