Baucus Seeks Historic Sixth Senate Term

Senator Highlights 'Hope for a Better Future' In Announcing Senate Bid

by Max For Montana

Baucus Seeks Historic Sixth Senate Term

Baucus filed on February 19 to run for an historic sixth term

(HELENA, Mont.) -- Citing a passion for fighting for the state he loves, Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus filed today for an historic sixth term in the United States Senate.

Baucus said that working to boost Montana's economy and create jobs, fighting for the nation's veterans, providing quality health care, and securing energy independence are a few of the things he wants to continue doing as Montana's longest serving U.S. senator in history.

Baucus filed paperwork Tuesday morning at the Montana Secretary of State's office before attending large rallies in Bozeman and Billings. Baucus, 66, told reporters that the late Senator Mike Mansfield was an inspiration to him -- when he first sought public office and to this day.

"I might have a few more gray hairs than I did back then, and I earned every single one. And the fire in the belly is burning brighter than ever," Baucus said. "We've done a heck of lot of good for this state and we've used seniority to be effective. But, there's still more to do. We're going to keep working for more good-paying jobs, better health care, and together we'll leave a better Montana for our kids and grandkids."

Baucus, who is chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, ticked off a long list of recent accomplishments, including:

  • Helping write the Children's Health Insurance Program
  • Pumping more than $8 billion in federal funds into Montana's economy
  • Boosting funding for veterans health care
  • Stopping President Bush from privatizing Social Security
  • Authoring the largest tax cut in a generation
  • Sustaining more than 18,000 good-paying highways jobs
  • Protecting Montana's hunting and fishing lands

Saying "it's the hope for a better future that drives us to greatness," the senior U.S. Senator laid out an aggressive vision for the coming years. He also said Montanans have a moral obligation to leave the state in better shape than they found it.

"Our kids' kids should be able to find good jobs, hunt and fish, and put their kids in good schools just like we did," Baucus said. "That is our task alone."

Baucus today put an army of campaign staff on the ground, opening field offices in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Glendive, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. He also launched a new, state-of-the-art web site.

Baucus was first elected to the Senate in 1978 and was re-elected in 1984, 1990, 1996, and 2002. Before entering the Senate, Baucus served two terms in the U.S. House.

"This election isn't about me, it's about the future of our state," Baucus said. "I'm going to use my seniority to do what's right for Montana. Since I was first elected that has been my only yardstick, and I'm not going to change now."

Baucus is also a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and a senior member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, where he chairs the panel with jurisdiction over highway funding.

Posted on February 19, 2008 in Press Room.
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