My public letter about my opponent. In one week Erin Farris-Olson (D) and myself (Dru Koester, L) will face off at the ballot box for who will represent Helena (district 41) in the Senate this upcoming session. With this in mind, I would like to say this to my opponent: Thank you for being decent. Thank you for being professional. It has been a positive experience to run against you. When we enter these races, especially as political outsiders, we never know what to expect…. Politics can be contentious, ugly, and there is the incredible sensation in your gut that when you put your name on the ballot, you're really putting your neck on the line. I've seen and experienced the ugly side of politics… So, going into the race, I had no idea who my opponent would be or what running was going to cost my family personally. I had no idea if it would hurt my business or my friends and relations. You can just never underestimate how ugly the fight will get. And, while races at the national level and, even, some at the state level, have gotten nasty and onery, Erin and I have maintained our poise and dignity through this whole campaign. From the moment we met, there seemed to be an unspoken mutual agreement: this is about ideas, this is about policy, this is about politics. And it's not personal. Yes, both of us believe we would do a better job than the other, neither of us is going to budge on our ideals or core principles, and we truly maintain that what we represent is better for the state and people of Montana than what the other is offering.  But that doesn't mean we're out for blood nor are we enemies.  We're competing, but the goal has always been victory, not decimation of our opponent. You see, Erin and I are proof that you can disagree so starkly in politics that you are led to enter the ring to do battle and, while standing there, face to face, you both decide, “My ideas are solid enough to fight for me. I don't need to fling mud. I don't need to take cheap shots. My ideas can hold ground on their own." We've sat beside each other at every forum, disagreeing often, agreeing sometimes, and have always been able to leave wishing the other the best of luck. Why? Maybe it's because we're both moms and know that, at the end of the day, we both see the issues facing our children and have simply drawn very different conclusions of how we give them a bright future. Maybe it's because we're the exact same age and are considered "youngsters" in politics (laughable.) Or maybe it's because we're both Montanans, and know that we're neighbors who will run into each other at the grocery store, because, after all, Montana is still one big small town. We would do better to remember that and understand that we don't have to compromise our beliefs in order to see the person who sits beside us on the ballot box as anything less than a human being, whose rights are inherent and not granted by a governing force. That's how I view my opponent(s), and I'm always ready to express gratitude when the courtesy is returned. Helena has a real, acute difference on the ballot this November 3rd. But they've been treated to a really professional race and, regardless of who wins, it should be acknowledged that Erin and I just showed the rest of the state how this is done. By keeping it classy. Cheers, Dru Koester Libertarian Candidate for Senate District 41, Helena dru4montana.com