Two teachers eyeing governor's office
By CHARLES S. JOHNSON - IR State Bureau - 03/18/08
Two Helena teachers, Don Pogreba and Jason Neiffer of Helena are about 95 percent certain they will file as Democrats for governor and lieutenant governor this week, Pogreba said Monday.
If they run, they would face Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger in the Democratic primary. Unopposed so far on the Republican ticket are state Sen. Roy Brown for governor and Steve Daines for lieutenant governor.
After thinking about running for several months, Pogreba and Neiffer launched a Web site Friday and Saturday declaring their candidacies. The address is
www.pogrebaneiffer08.com.
However, Pogreba said they want to talk to more people before making a final decision. The filing deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday.
“It doesn’t seem right that there isn’t some kind of discussion in the Democratic Party primary,” Pogreba said. They are especially interested in offering their views on education, environmental and energy policy.
“We’re not overwhelmingly optimistic there is going to be a great discussion of education in a general election campaign,” Pogreba said. “Roy Brown is so far to the right. We think it would be good to engage Governor Schweitzer now.”
He said they differ with Schweitzer over the need for better college preparatory courses in high school, the need for the state to provide more guidance for local school districts for better standards for teachers and students and, most importantly, school funding.
“We are committed to ensuring that Montana’s students receive a fully funded, quality education, and that Montana’s taxpayers are certain that their tax dollars for education are spent efficiently on direct student instruction,” their Web site said.
Pogreba said he and Neiffer both think Schweitzer had done “a great job” as governor, particularly after his two Republican predecessors, Govs. Judy Martz and Marc Racicot.
“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a choice in the primary,” Pogreba said.
They also can offer the perspective of two working people living on teachers’ salaries and facing the same financial worries that many Montanans are going through, he said.
They intend to rely on their Web page, “netroots,” or organized political activity online and young people to help, Pogreba said.
“We obviously don’t have the money and the time to campaign,” Pogreba said.
Pogreba, 36, is a Shelby native, Laurel High School and Carroll College graduate. He was an assistant coach for Carroll’s Talking Saints debate team for four years, taught at C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls and has taught at Helena High School since 2001.
Neiffer, 34, is a Great Falls native, Great Falls High School and Carroll College graduate. He has taught at Great Falls High School and now teaches at Helena Capital High School. He has a master’s degree in educational technology.
No one put them up to deciding to run or had even talked to them about it, Pogreba said.
“Can we win?” they ask of themselves on their Web site.
“It’s certainly a long shot,” they continue. “But in a state that elected Conrad Burns three times, isn’t anything possible?”
In response to their likely candidacy, Schweitzer’s campaign manager Harper Lawson, said, “Brian Schweitzer has faced a contested primary in every race he has ever run, and our campaign never expected this campaign to be any different.”
If they run, they would face Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger in the Democratic primary. Unopposed so far on the Republican ticket are state Sen. Roy Brown for governor and Steve Daines for lieutenant governor.
After thinking about running for several months, Pogreba and Neiffer launched a Web site Friday and Saturday declaring their candidacies. The address is
www.pogrebaneiffer08.com.
However, Pogreba said they want to talk to more people before making a final decision. The filing deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday.
“It doesn’t seem right that there isn’t some kind of discussion in the Democratic Party primary,” Pogreba said. They are especially interested in offering their views on education, environmental and energy policy.
“We’re not overwhelmingly optimistic there is going to be a great discussion of education in a general election campaign,” Pogreba said. “Roy Brown is so far to the right. We think it would be good to engage Governor Schweitzer now.”
He said they differ with Schweitzer over the need for better college preparatory courses in high school, the need for the state to provide more guidance for local school districts for better standards for teachers and students and, most importantly, school funding.
“We are committed to ensuring that Montana’s students receive a fully funded, quality education, and that Montana’s taxpayers are certain that their tax dollars for education are spent efficiently on direct student instruction,” their Web site said.
Pogreba said he and Neiffer both think Schweitzer had done “a great job” as governor, particularly after his two Republican predecessors, Govs. Judy Martz and Marc Racicot.
“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a choice in the primary,” Pogreba said.
They also can offer the perspective of two working people living on teachers’ salaries and facing the same financial worries that many Montanans are going through, he said.
They intend to rely on their Web page, “netroots,” or organized political activity online and young people to help, Pogreba said.
“We obviously don’t have the money and the time to campaign,” Pogreba said.
Pogreba, 36, is a Shelby native, Laurel High School and Carroll College graduate. He was an assistant coach for Carroll’s Talking Saints debate team for four years, taught at C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls and has taught at Helena High School since 2001.
Neiffer, 34, is a Great Falls native, Great Falls High School and Carroll College graduate. He has taught at Great Falls High School and now teaches at Helena Capital High School. He has a master’s degree in educational technology.
No one put them up to deciding to run or had even talked to them about it, Pogreba said.
“Can we win?” they ask of themselves on their Web site.
“It’s certainly a long shot,” they continue. “But in a state that elected Conrad Burns three times, isn’t anything possible?”
In response to their likely candidacy, Schweitzer’s campaign manager Harper Lawson, said, “Brian Schweitzer has faced a contested primary in every race he has ever run, and our campaign never expected this campaign to be any different.”
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Reader Comments:
purple wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:39 PM:
" Funding for education is fine as long as the money isn't being wasted as it has been for multiple decades now. The starting wage for teachers is far more than the starting wage of someone who enters the military. While teachers may work long hours, they only work 9 months out of the year, while those who serve in the military also work long hours, but they are subject to working 24/7, 365 and those in the military serve a far greater service to the nation than educators - they keep us free, while educators only go through the motions of educating our children.
"
"
4061111 wrote on Mar 18, 2008 2:57 PM:
" American education (& Montana) should be set as a high priority, many rural areas lose quality teachers due to lack of funding.
Also high on the food chain is finally gaining advocates for the smaller ranch & farm families. Too many people read about ag subsidies & don't understand that farming is not the same industry as ranching - subsidies almost always benefit the larger producers, not the small family ranches that most desperately could use it. Escalating fuel, electricity, etc is hitting people who can ill afford it. The knowledge and skills of ranchers is tremendous and unappreciated. Perhaps education could start teaching our youngsters of the vital importance of agriculture in our lives. What a wonderful opportunity this would provide everyone. "
Also high on the food chain is finally gaining advocates for the smaller ranch & farm families. Too many people read about ag subsidies & don't understand that farming is not the same industry as ranching - subsidies almost always benefit the larger producers, not the small family ranches that most desperately could use it. Escalating fuel, electricity, etc is hitting people who can ill afford it. The knowledge and skills of ranchers is tremendous and unappreciated. Perhaps education could start teaching our youngsters of the vital importance of agriculture in our lives. What a wonderful opportunity this would provide everyone. "
apr wrote on Mar 18, 2008 11:22 AM:
" Pogreba is an amazing teacher, and even if he's only running to "start a dialogue", it's what he'll do. I've known him for years and hold him in the highest regard. Pogreba/Neiffer 08! "
Katie wrote on Mar 18, 2008 10:55 AM:
" I am going to have to disagree with you sunflower. It appears education is not one of your priorities.
Don Pogreba and Jason Neiffer, just wish to address an issue that they find to be fundamental. They understand that without an opponent the issue of education will go unmentioned.
I do not quite see them as sacrificial lambs, more as two individuals who are making an effort to have the issues they and numerous Montanas value, brought to the forefront.
"
Don Pogreba and Jason Neiffer, just wish to address an issue that they find to be fundamental. They understand that without an opponent the issue of education will go unmentioned.
I do not quite see them as sacrificial lambs, more as two individuals who are making an effort to have the issues they and numerous Montanas value, brought to the forefront.
"
sunflower wrote on Mar 18, 2008 7:23 AM:
" Well, it didn't take them long to find a scarificial lamb (lambs, as it were). Now Schweitzer won't have to return his primary contributions of some $217,000. I was wondering how long it would take the Schweitzer campaign... The teachers' excuse about "starting a dialogue" is pretty lame. Right about now, talking points ring pretty hollow. "
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TheNStorm wrote on Apr 5, 2008 4:14 PM:
In response to Sunflower's colourful argument that Pogreba and Neiffer are 'making an excuse about starting a dialogue,' I must point out that he *did* respond to what they're doing. He *did* start thinking a bit more about the political process, and he *did* enter the dialogue. Therefore I can only conclude that firstly Neiffer and Pogreba seem to have already started a beneficial dialogue, and secondly that the dialogue wasn't all that 'lame' (or at least that sunflower must be equally 'lame' for participating in the dialogue).
Also, Purple has my thanks for bringing to light an important issue for discussion. "