Political newcomer to challenge Rehberg By JENNIFER McKEE
Gazette State Bureau
HELENA - Bozeman businesswoman, mother and political newcomer Tracy Velazquez, 39, announced her bid as a Democrat for the U.S. House Tuesday, saying one of her top priorities would be balancing the federal budget.
"Washington has taken out a loan on your children's future," she said in her announcement at the Montana statehouse Tuesday afternoon. "This country is now billions of dollars in debt when just three short years ago we had surpluses. That's not how to run a business, a ranch, a family budget or a country."
Her husband and four children, ranging in age from 12 to 2, stood next to her as she made her announcement flanked by red, white and blue balloons. She brought along a jar of her own bread and butter pickles as a symbol of her thrift.
Velazquez, who runs a consulting business with her husband, Dennis Alexander, first dabbled in politics in 2000, when she ran a close race against Bob Davies for a seat in the Montana House. Velazquez holds office in the Gallatin County Democratic Party.
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