Candidate website

Said, "Lowering the property tax bill and making it more fair for all of us."

Economy

The candidate's website says, "Stronger DUI laws, adding more highway patrol and improvements to transportation infrastructure."

Advocates for stronger DUI laws, adding more highway patrols, and improving transportation infrastructure for safer roads.

- Advocates for stronger DUI laws, adding more highway patrols, and improving transportation infrastructure for safer roads.

Public Safety

As of June 9, 2025, Brad Davis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Education

Voting & Elections

The candidate's website says, "Ensure that decisions about grizzly bears are made locally, with a focus on responsible conservation and considering the safety of the local communities."

Wants to ensure that decisions about "grizzly bears are made locally, with a focus on responsible conservation and considering the safety of the local communities."

- Wants to ensure that decisions about "grizzly bears are made locally, with a focus on responsible conservation and considering the safety of the local communities."

Energy & the Environment

Facebook

Brad Davis

 Ravalli Republic, Senate District 44 candidate Q&A: Theresa Manzella

BallotPedia, Theresa Manzella

Theresa Manzella is currently State Senator in State Senate District 44. She was elected to this position in 2020. Theresa previously represented Montana House of Representatives District 85 from 2015-2019. 

As of June 9, 2025, Theresa Manzella’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supported " SB400, the Parents Bill of Rights, safeguarding fundamental parental rights against government interference. This legislation nullifies government immunity and provides parents with a means to seek recompense when their rights are violated."

Supported "SB518 in 2023 empowered parental rights in education, allowing them to be more involved and ensuring their right to excuse their child from objectionable."

- Supported " SB400, the Parents Bill of Rights, safeguarding fundamental parental rights against government interference. This legislation nullifies government immunity and provides parents with a means to seek recompense when their rights are violated."
- Supported "SB518 in 2023 empowered parental rights in education, allowing them to be more involved and ensuring their right to excuse their child from objectionable."

Twitter

LinkedIn

Theresa Manzella

Wayne has lived in Bitterroot Valley for over 30 years, and currently resides with his wife, with whom he has 2 children. The family identifies as Christian. 

Ballot Pedia

Wayne Rusk is currently a state representative serving House District 88. He was elected in 2022, and is serving his first term.

As of June 9, 2025, Wayne Rusk’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Opposes gun control and supports the Second Amendment.

- Opposes gun control and supports the Second Amendment.

Opposes abortion beyond instances like incest, rape, or safety of the mother.

- Opposes abortion beyond instances like incest, rape, or safety of the mother.

Identifies as a "constitutional conservative."

Supported House Bill 402, which would have made Montana the first state in the country to confirm voter citizenship upon registration.

Said, "Although more can be done to improve the security and integrity of our elections, the hand counting of ballots is not one of them."

- Identifies as a "constitutional conservative."
- Supported House Bill 402, which would have made Montana the first state in the country to confirm voter citizenship upon registration.
- Said, "Although more can be done to improve the security and integrity of our elections, the hand counting of ballots is not one of them."

Plans to ensure that public lands stay in the ownership of the public, not the government.

- Plans to ensure that public lands stay in the ownership of the public, not the government.

Wayne Rusk

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the Montana Senate. The Montana Senate is the upper house of the Montana State Legislature (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Senators are elected to a 4-year term. Individuals can serve no more than 8 years in a 16-year period.

Montana State Senator, District 44, Republican Primary

Election results

Candidates (3)