Nov. 2, 2004 ELECTION results for Lincoln County, Montana, with comments on how they relate to Libby's asbestos environmental health crisis
[Only the top two vote getters are listed for each position]
President/Vice President
George W. Bush/Dick Cheney (R) 5884 votes
John F. Kerry/John Edwards (D) 2320 votes
[The Bush Administration's record regarding its treatment of Libby's asbestos victims has been widely criticized by both medical rights advocacy groups and by environmental groups. The Bush Administration has also endorsed bills in Congress that would severely limit financial compensation from W. R. Grace & Co. to Libby residents who have asbestos-related disease. In spite of these actions, Bush won by a decisive margin in Lincoln County.
For a summary of how the Bush EPA and the Bush HHS has dealt with Libby's asbestos health crisis, see the following news articles:
1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
To obtain a Senate report of the Bush Administration's treatment of Libby, download the document here.
United States Representative
Denny Rehberg (R) 5932 votes
Tracy Velazquez (D) 2078 votes
[Tracy Velazquez was a critic of W. R. Grace & Co., and had expressed support for Libby's asbestos victims. However, Velazquez was running against an incumbent who had plenty of backing from Republican contributors. The Democrat lost, both statewide and in Lincoln County, by a wide margin].
Governor/Lt. Governor
Bob Brown/Dave Lewis (R) 4643 votes
Brian Schweitzer/John Bohlinger (D) 3286 votes
Democrat Brian Schweitzer won the statewide race for Montana Governor, but he lost in Lincoln County. Schweitzer has been a vocal critic of W. R. Grace & Company, and he said during his 2000 Senate campaign that he would not take campaign contributions from the asbestos industry.
Montana Attorney General
Mike McGrath (D) 6046 votes
[McGrath ran unopposed].
State Representative- House District No. 1
Ralph Heinert (R) 1823
Eileen J. Carney (D) 1774
[State Representative Eileen Carney (D) had given strong support to Libby's asbestos victims. Carney also wanted W. R. Grace & Co. to show more responsibility in the asbestos cleanup and in paying for medical care for Libby's asbestos victims. She lost her seat in the State House after a tough (and sometimes nasty) campaign run by her Republican challenger, Ralph Heinert.]
Lincoln County Commissioner - District 2
John Konzen (D) 4817
Robert Ferguson (Constitution Party) 2585
[The only definative Democrat win in the Lincoln County's 2004 election was incumbent John Konzen's victory over his far-right-wing opponent, Robert L. Ferguson. Konzen is a strong supporter of Libby's asbestos victims, and he was a harsh critic of both W. R. Grace & Co. and of lame duck Republican Governor Judy Martz (R). Some have suggested that if Konzen's opponent hadn't been a fringe candidate, Konzen would have lost the race].
What do the election results mean?
As was the case in the 2000 election, and with the exception of John Konzen's reelection, Libby and Lincoln County voters turned their backs on candidates who supported Libby's asbestos victims and those who sought greater corporate responsibility. A large majority of the county's voters chose not to allow the environmental health crisis that has effected their community to change their voting pattern.
Lincoln County, Montana's 2000 election results, and how they related to Libby's asbestos health crisis
Lincoln County, Montana's 2008 election results