Wife Sara, senate candidate Cora Neumann, AG candidate Ben Alke and band Shakewell grace Rialto stage
By Mira Brody VP MEDIA
On the evening of Friday, Aug. 9, a line of people slowly made its way into the Rialto theater for the Montana Freedom Rally hosted by gubernatorial candidate, Ryan Busse, and his wife, Sara. Inside, as the building filled to capacity, Cora Neumann, a democrat running for state senate district 30, took to the stage and addressed the crowd.
Neumann spoke of her childhood in Bozeman, and how her father had died due to a lack of access to emergency services after an accident at the lumber mill he worked at. The experience inspired her to get into public health, a topic that stands as a prominent platform of her campaign.
The event, announced in reaction to the rally for former President Donald Trump taking place at the same time at Montana State University’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, focused on the importance of access to reproductive rights and related healthcare needs.
“This national abortion ban that is being promoted by Trump and Sheehy will kill women,” Neumann said.
After departing for school, Neumann returned to Bozeman in 2019 and has since devoted her efforts toward rural healthcare through her nonprofit We are Montana. She currently works for the Native American Development Corporation as chief health officer. Neumann launched a campaign for a Senate seat in 2019 but dropped out when former Gov. Steve Bullock entered the race, and lost the Democratic primary for U.S. House District 1 in June 2022.
Between speakers, Missoula-based jam band Shakewell played funky tunes to a swaying crowd. A balloon artist twisted balloon hats for attendees, and hand-made posters lined the walls touting support for IVF, access to abortion and other reproductive healthcare rights. At one point, the band had the crowd chanting the word “Love” as a part of one of their songs.
“It’s not a bad thing to marry above your head,” Busse joked as he hugged his wife Sara following her speech about raising their sons, Badge and Lander, in Montana; Badge and Lander are two of 16 youth plaintiffs in the constitutional climate change lawsuit, Held v. State of Montana.
“I heard about a political rally,” Busse said, referring to the Trump rally across town. “… I wanted all of you to be here.”
Busse is a former firearms executive and campaign adviser for President Joe Biden. He announced his intent to run against current Gov. Greg Gianforte in September 2023.
While on stage, Busse spoke at length about reproductive rights, right to privacy and access to public lands—values he said are at the core of Montanans and upheld in the Montana constitution. He slammed modern day politics for being “ugly and divisive.”
Busse also spoke praise toward Sen. Jon Tester and endorsed Ben Alke, a Bozeman attorney running against Austin Knudsen for attorney general.
“People are ready for something better,” Busse said before handing the stage back to Shakewell, who played well into the night. “Give it to them.”
