I wanted to give you a quick summary of where our campaign stands.

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The Romano Report
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Campaign Update
Montanans turned out in record numbers for the June Primary Election. That's because they know how important this year's election is to the future of Montana. I'm honored to have received your support.

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Now we move on to the General Election. This campaign is about electing a champion for our public schools who will stick up for our students, teachers, and administrators. We must restore competent leadership to the Office of Public Instruction.

We can do this - together.
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We also continue to outraise our opponent and we have to because she's dumping her own fortune into her campaign. In fact, we've hit some of our best fundraising numbers recently. But we have to keep it up if we're going to win this thing in November.
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Connecting with Montanans
The safety of Montana's residents remains this campaign's top priority, but that hasn't stopped us from meeting with Montanans from every corner of the state. We recently met with the Carbon County Democratic Central Committee, Flathead Democratic Women, Madison County Democratic Central Committee, Cascade County Democratic Central Committee, Custer County Democratic Central Committee, Sanders County Democratic Central Committee, and Lincoln County Democratic Central Committee.

I was also delighted to address the delegates at the Montana AFL-CIO Annual Convention. The Montana AFL-CIO is the largest federation of working Montana families.
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Here's an excerpt from my speech:

Now more than ever: we need a leader who shows up every day to promote and protect high-quality public education.

We need a leader who is an advocate for all kids, from our four-year-olds, to our 21-year-olds, especially at the legislature when it comes to funding our public schools.

Montanans need and deserve a leader who understands the day to day challenges our school communities face!
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Connecting with Students and Families Uncertain in Times
I'm running for one simple reason: Montana's kids. During these times, I've continued to host live storytimes on Facebook. It's one small way for me to reach out to Montana's incredible students and families. Secretary of State candidate Bryce Bennett, State Auditor candidate Shane Morigeau, and Public Service Commission candidate Tom Woods even joined me.

You can always find my upcoming live streams here ([link removed]) .
Supporting Educators
I had the opportunity to work with educators taking part in the Teacher Leadership Institute ([link removed]) . The Teacher Leadership Institute is a national program that readies classroom teachers for leadership roles. It's a rigorous program and I applaud all the Montana educators taking part in the institute.

Montana needs a Superintendent of Public Instruction who advocates for more professional development for our teachers and supports their work. As an educator, I know how powerful these programs are and what an incredible impact they have on teachers and students.
Our Shared Values
I also wanted to share my speech to the Montana Democratic Party Convention with you:

Hello, Montana Democrats!

I am so honored and thrilled to return as your nominee for State Superintendent of Public Instruction!

This convention looks a little different than the last one I attended. And I want to commend the Democratic Party for rising to the occasion and pulling off our first virtual convention. I also want to thank all of you for being here - the work you’ve done, and the work you’ll continue to do.

We are all finding new ways to move our standard orders of operation online and it hasn’t been easy.

From my perspective, It hasn’t been easy because so much of the infrastructure that should be in place to facilitate online learning, telehealth services, meal programs for students, and childcare just doesn’t exist.

As Montana Democrats, it is up to us to remind people that kids don’t have to go hungry when schools are closed, parents don’t have to struggle to find childcare, families don’t have to be cut off from the world because they still don’t have broadband at home. It is up to us to paint a picture of what our state could look like.

Now, I ask you, does your vision of Montana’s future include a state superintendent who doesn’t advocate for our kids unless they attend a private school? Does your vision include a Statem Superintendent who doesn’t show up when we have a chance to provide public preschool for four-year-olds? Or who applauds every federal scheme passed down from her friend Betsy DeVos to cut funding from our public schools?

No - of course not. I know you’re with me when I say, it is time to restore Competent and focused leadership to the Office of Public Instruction.

Now more than ever, we need empathetic and compassionate leaders who will move our state forward with equity in mind, and that is absolutely the slate of candidates you have before you today.

You all know what to do: You must stay involved with these campaigns, donate when you can, volunteer, and tell your friends and family, because we can’t go back to “normal”... we need to move forward and we WILL move forward creating a brighter future for all Montanans.

Again, Thank you all for being here and for giving me the opportunity to speak. Enjoy the rest of the Convention!
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Momentum
While my opponent's self-funded campaign has yet to receive one contribution from a working Montana teacher ([link removed]) , support for our campaign continues to grow. I'm proud to announce that this campaign has received the endorsements of the Montana AFL-CIO, Emily's List, Carol's List, Big Sky 55+, and 3.14 Action. We've received these endorsements because, unlike my opponent, I will fight for working Montana families, support public education, and defend our public lands.
Unlike my opponent, I'm not self-funding my campaign. This campaign is a grassroots effort. Our momentum is because of supporters like you, but we need to keep it up.
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Defending Public Education and Montana's Constitution
I recently penned an op-ed with Attorney General candidate Raph Graybill in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's disastrous decision in Espinoza v. the Montana Department of Revenue. Here's an excerpt:

Education remains our great equalizer. The only way we can ensure our children are given the chance to succeed to their full potential is to protect a public school system that uplifts, encourages, and loves every child equally.

The court's decision poses real risks to public education, but it’s just one of several battles in a longer war to defend public education in Montana. Attacks on our schools will not stop until we elect public school advocates at every level of government who aren’t afraid to stand up for all children.

Make your voice heard in November and vote for leaders who will defend our constitution and advocate for all Montanans – advocacy that starts by standing up for our schools.

Read the entire op-ed. ([link removed])

Montana's newspapers are also filling with letters-to-the-editor focused on the importance of this race. Here are a couple of my favorites.

Vote for a Champion of Educators: This November vote for Melissa Romano ([link removed])

Support Romano and invest in Montana's future ([link removed])
Letters-to-the-editor are incredibly powerful. Please consider signing up to write your own letter-to-the-editor.
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Write a Letter-to-the-Editor ([link removed])
Thank you for your support for and investment in this campaign. Hope to see you soon!
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Paid for By
Romano for Montana, Democrat
PO Box 6985, Helena, MT 59604
Karen Moses, Treasurer
6.6.0

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Romano for Montana . PO Box 6985 . Helena, MT 59604-6985 . USA