Strong Statewide Endorsements, Grassroots Outreach, Fundraising Effort Build Momentum for the Candidacy of John Mues to Serve as Montana’s Next U.S. Senator

MONTANA – Strong grassroots support, growing endorsements and a broad base of fundraising continue to propel John Mues and his candidacy to serve as Montana’s next U.S. Senator forward toward the June 2020 Primary election.

“As I meet with Montanans from all walks of life and hear about their concerns and priorities, I am more inspired and confident than ever that we can beat Steve Daines,” said Mues. “Montanans are excited for representation in the U.S. Senate that reflects all of our values – not that of a multi-millionaire who supports billions in tax loopholes for wealthy corporations and billionaires while voting to cut Social Security and Medicare, eliminate access to affordable, quality healthcare services, and cut access to public and higher education for families from all corners of the Big Sky State.”

With a focus on building the kind of broad based campaign that can defeat a special-interest backed incumbent Senator, Mues is building a strong, statewide network of endorsers, volunteers, advocates and Montanans whose experience, counsel and support reflect Mues’ deep connection to the people and places of Montana. Among many more, people who are growing the Mues for Montana network include:

  • Widely respected public service leader, legislator and statewide candidate, Dorothy Bradley
  • Long-time Montana State Head of AFL-CIO & national labor leader Jim Murry
  • Leading public policy advocate and Schweitzer Administration official Patti Keebler
  • Healthcare, community safety and long-time Montana public servant, Holly Kaleczyc
  • Billings area legislator & community service leader, Jessica Karjala
  • Higher education expert & former Commissioner of Higher Education, Lawrence Pettit
  • Missoula-area community organizer Susie Orr and leading attorney Tom Orr
  • Prominent Billings area public policy advocate and legislative leader, Margie McDonald
  • Western Montana business leader and Army veteran, Charlie Brown
  • Accomplished elected official with military service heritage, Kelly McCarthy
  • Western Montana activist and community leader, legislator Ellie Hill
  • Yellowstone County community organizer and campaign volunteer Paul Miller
  • National community service leader and public servant, Bill Basl

Many more local and statewide leaders are on board with Mues for Montana, as are people who have made more than 1,000 donations at an average amount of just over $100 per person.  In total, Mues for Montana has raised more than $150,000.

Going forward in 2020, the Mues for Montana campaign is hosting many fundraisers and meet & greet events, including Helena, Pray, Flathead County, Missoula, Libby, Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Havre, Big Sky and many more to come.  Events in Red Lodge with Jack and Jill Ballard and in Livingston with Dorothy Bradley and Lee Freeman have already taken place this year, as have events last year (2019) in Anaconda, Philipsburg, Bozeman, Loma, Butte, Helena, Billings, Miles City, Colstrip, Deer Lodge, Great Falls, Havre, Missoula, Shelby, Glendive, Sydney and more.

The dollar amounts and numbers of donors reported here are in addition to the public data reported in the Mues for Montana 4th quarter report filed on January 31, 2019 with the Federal Election Commission, which showed a total amount raised at that point of $130,923.39 with $29,528.46 raised in the 4th quarter.

 A Personal Note from John Mues:  During the 4th quarter of 2019, my wife Claudia and I were blessed with the birth of our son Leonidas.  Leo was born prematurely and has courageously thrived despite difficult and at times perilous circumstances.  For this reason, I was proud to have taken a hiatus from most campaign and fundraising activity during the last quarter of 2019.  It was very important for me to be with my son and by my wife’s side. Now, Leo, Claudia and I are doing very well, enjoying parenthood and our growing family.  More than ever, we are dedicated to the success of the Mues for Montana campaign.  Blessed with our health and with the support of family and friends, I am able to put in the work, time and effort to run a successful campaign and to be there for Leo and Claudia as well.  Onward to victory!  – John Mues

About John Mues

John Mues is a candidate running a campaign to defeat U.S. Senator Steve Daines in the Fall 2020 election.  Mues is a 4th generation Montanan who was raised in a single-parent household in Helena, Deer Lodge, and Wolf Point, the son of a social worker mother and Vietnam Veteran father who worked as a union letter carrier.  The beneficiary of quality public school teachers and coaches in Montana, John received a Congressional nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated with academic honors while lettering in Division I sports.  John then trained in the U.S. Navy as a submarine warfare officer and nuclear engineer, as well as attaining Army Airborne Parachutist and Navy Diver qualifications.

While overseas on active military duty, John applied to the Troops-to-Teachers program and worked towards a teaching certificate through Montana State University.  Two months after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, he began two years of differentiated service to country as a high school math and English teacher on the Ft. Belknap Indian Reservation in north central Montana, helping build programs that encourage student success and recognition in one of the state’s highest needs schools.

In 2008, as the Great Recession set in, John entered the private sector as a senior engineer in the energy sector, where he has worked for the past 11 years making America energy independent, pursuing renewable clean energy, and contributing to living wage jobs in Montana and throughout the country.  During this period, he also earned a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the London Business School.

John, his wife Claudia, a non-profit leader, and their son Leonidas live near Loma in north central Montana.