TOUGH DISTRICT FOR A REPUBLICAN, SAYS DOGIAKOS
By ADRIENNE BARNETT and KIP SIKORA
The Garden City voted green by electing conservation-minded Democrat Dick Barrett for the District 93 seat in the state House of Representatives.
With 98 of the 101 precincts reporting, Barrett led with 65 percent of the votes. He had 2,584 votes (64.6 percent) to Republican Steve Dogiakos’ 1,404 (35.1 percent).
“I am gratified by my victory, but not terribly surprised,” said Barrett, “I had a number of advantages, including being a Democrat in the district as well as my name recognition.”
Barrett, who retired as a University of Montana professor of economics after 25 years, focused on land stewardship and support for aggressive, state-sponsored land-use management.
His proposals included instituting development setbacks and expanding the ability of the state to place its own land under conservation easement.
Dogiakos spoke about balancing the changing environment and society’s needs for transportation and consumption. But Missoulians voted for Barrett’s specific solutions.
Barrett, 66, and Dogiakos, 23, agreed on many issues in their campaign, but age, experience and political-party affiliation stood out as the main differences.
“It is a great learning experience,” said Dogiakos, who might run again. “I know what it takes to win next time. I know what needs to happen next time.
“It is a tough district to run in. By putting an R (Republican) after your name, you are automatically down by 20 points.”
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