FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 13, 2023

MCV endorses U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s reelection while hosting state candidates and elected officials with special guest Supaman

Livingston event boasts conservation leader attendance from the across the state

(LIVINGSTON, Mont.) – Tonight nearly 200 gathered for Montana Conservation Voters’ Annual Gala at the Livingston Depot. Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Jon Tester, state elected officials,  candidates and conservation partners from across the state gathered to support MCV’s mission to protect Montana’s public lands, clean air and clean waters. At the event, MCV Executive Director Whitney Tawney also announced the endorsement of Senator Tester for his 2024 reelection.

“Montana Conservation Voters is an organization that gets the job done through its tireless work to keep Montana the Last Best Place,” Senator Tester said. “It’s because of work like yours that we’re going to pass common sense solutions for Montana like the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act. I’m proud of this endorsement, and I’ll continue to stand with Montanans as we fight to protect our public lands and ensure future generations enjoy our clean air and water.”

Another highlight of the evening was a special performance by Supaman, aka Christian Takes the Gun Parrish. An innovative, award-winning Native American dancer and hip hop artist, Supaman is a member of the Apsáalooke Nation who grew up in Crow Agency, Montana. His work combines Native, comedic, and urban hip hop cultures, captivating audiences worldwide and spreading resiliency, love, laughter, and inclusion.

“I’m so excited to be part of an event like this,” said Takes the Gun Parrish. “It is  powerful when like-minded people come together to stand up for democracy and work together to protect a place we all love .”

Montanans are paying attention when it comes to protecting their rights to clean water, clear air, and access to public lands. According to a 2022 Voter Survey on Public Lands by the University of Montana, 85 percent of Montanans say issues involving clean water, clean air, open spaces and public lands are important when deciding to support an elected public official. 

“Tonight’s event proves Montanans are ready to protect the Last Best Place,” said Tawney. “Montanans of all stripes believe in our shared outdoor legacy and our duty to protect it – let’s get to work! ”

Top-level platinum and premium sponsors of MCV’s 2023 Annual Gala include Western Conservation Foundation, The Messina Group and Senator Tester. Leader sponsors include Clerwater Credit Union, Ducks Unlimited, Jeff Forbes and Protect Our Winters. Partner sponsors include C.B. Pearson, Hilltop Public Solutions, Katabatic Brewing Co., Laura Wood Peterson Consulting, League of Conservation Voters, Lucy Dayton and Mark O’Keefe, the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, PacificSource Health Plans, Robin Tawney Nichols and William Nichols, Sally Ericsson and Tom Garwin, and Sweetwater Travel Company. 

The event also featured local food from Sadie’s Catering and a sponsored bar by Livingston’s Katabatic Brewing Co..

For a full list of Gala sponsors and silent auction donors, please visit mtvoters.org/gala. 

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Montana Conservation Voters is a statewide non-partisan membership organization dedicated to fighting for Montana’s air, water, open spaces, wildlife and public health. MCV provides voter participation services to tens of thousands of Montanans. Visit mtvoters.org for more details.

CONTACT

Anthony Licata

Communications Director, Montana Conservation Voters

347-604-4668