Jon Tester for U.S. Senate

With less than a week to go until the big 5-0 for Jon’s 50th Birthday, plans for parties are in the works in communities across the state. During the parties, Jon will join each of the parties over the phone on a conference call to give everyone an update from the campaign trail.

There’s still time to host a get-together with your friends and neighbors. It’s easy, just sign up online and send out email invitations. We’ll help you with the details.

If you’re not ready to host an event this weekend, check out the list of events and find one near you. Be sure to check back — we are working with hosts day and night adding events to the list.

Watch our new television ad, “Creating a Buzz”:

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There have been a number of vigorous debates around the state in recent weeks, and Jon has impressed the audience at all of them. Here are some excerpts from the most recent debate in Helena.

“The audience also broke into clapping once when Tester’s wife Sharla stood up, holding their 21-month-old granddaughter, Kilikina.

‘That’s my grand-daughter,’ Tester said. ‘That’s why I’m running for the U.S. Senate.’”
–Jennifer McKee, Lee State Bureau

“Democratic Senate hopeful Jon Tester questioned the ethics of the other leading candidate for his party’s nomination, saying in a debate Thursday he is the only one who could go ‘belly to belly’ on the issue against Republican incumbent Sen. Conrad Burns.”
–Matt Gouras, Associated Press

Be sure to turn out for the debate in Billings tomorrow, sponsored by the Billings Gazette and MSU-Billings. The event is Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Petro Theater on the campus of MSU-Billings.

If you can’t make it to Billings, Yellowstone Public Radio will carry the debate live.

You can also hear the May 4 Helena Independent Record Debate and the Health Montana Debate archived on Yellowstone Public Radio.

Swing by or tune in and show your support for Jon Tester!

The netroots have been an important part of the Tester campaign from the beginning. Since Jon’s filing, blogs have highlighted the race, responding to Jon’s call for real representation in Washington, D.C.

Bob Brigham at MyDD recently wrote about the race calling it “the perfect opportunity” for the netroots to display their strength. His post highlights Jon’s record of accomplishment and the unique opportunity we have here in Montana to change the face of Washington, D.C.

Swing by MyDD for the whole story.

I believe Democrats are poised to make real gains in November. According to one survey, Conrad Burns is the least popular senator in the nation.

Across the country, Democrats are ahead of Republicans in generic polls. We’re beating the Republicans at recruitment. And the field appears to be in our favor.

But to truly make gains in the House and Senate, I believe we’ll need candidates willing to show true leadership. Leaders who will make tough decisions and stand up for what we believe in. Leaders who will work to solve problems and get things done—for Montana and for all of America.
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