The sweet taste of victory.

Winning isn't everything. Sometimes, it really is the only thing. That was the case this election year, when MEA-MFT took a lead role in three crucial campaigns.

The future of Montana, the nation, and even the world turned on the outcome of two of these campaigns. With an unprecedented grass roots effort, we won all three.

"MEA-MFT members get it," said MEA-MFT Political Director Terry Minow. "They know politics determines funding for the vital services they provide, their pay and retirement, and the very direction of this state and country. The energy that went into this election is truly amazing, and it paid off in spades. I have never been more proud of MEA-MFT and our members!"

Here's what MEA-MFT accomplished this election:

We defeated CI-97, the fraud-infested initiative designed to starve public education and public services, brought to Montana by New York multi-millionaire Howie Rich. Read more.

Through our court case that killed CI-97, we also defeated Rich's other two deadly initiatives: I-154 (payoff for outside developers) and CI-98 (removal of judges for any reason). These two initiatives would have been just as devastating for Montana as CI-97, and both would have passed without our court case. Read more.

We passed I-151, raising the minimum wage for thousands of hard working Montanans.

We elected Jon Tester, a farmer/rancher and former teacher, to the U.S. Senate, changing the balance of power in Congress and the direction of the United States as well as the world.

How did we do it? With the blood, sweat and tears of our members, staff, and elected leaders, and with the generous help of our national affiliates, AFT and NEA.

A few campaign highlights:
MEA-MFT members gathered thousands of signatures for I-151, to raise the minimum wage.

MEA-MFT, along with AARP Montana, organized Not In Montana, the coalition that turned public support for CI-97 upside down. At the beginning of the campaign, Montanans supported CI-97 by a margin of two to one. By October, Montanans opposed it two to one--testimony to our work with the news media and member communications by the 60 groups in our coalition.

MEA-MFT organized Jon Tester fundraisers, rallies, and "honk-and-waves" across the
state.

Finally, MEA-MFT, working with the AFL-CIO, helped get out the vote across the state.

"Everyone involved in these huge victories should take time to savor them," said Minow.

Retired members rock the vote
With the help of AFT, NEA, and the AFL-CIO, MEA-MFT hired eight local organizers across the state this fall to communicate member-to-member on ballot initiatives and MEA-MFT's recommended candidates.

All of these organizers are retired MEA-MFT members except Lei-Anna Bertlesen, who is on leave from her teaching job, and Annie Glover.

These folks made a huge difference in many campaigns, including Jon Tester's U.S. Senate race. Thanks to their efforts, we elected many friends of public education and public services, we passed the minimum wage increase, and we stopped three deadly ballot initiatives. If you see these organizers, please tell them "thanks"!

• Lei-Anna Bertelsen, Bozeman

• Annie Glover and Karen Moses, Billings

• Paula Darko-Hensler, Libby

• Lorrie Keith, Great Falls

• Janelle Grant, Miles City

• Jean Abel, Polson

• Leslie Thomas, Boulder