Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-11)
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
The office of Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) views technology as a powerful tool to connect with Montana constituents, and has implemented innovative approaches to bring together key stakeholders, decision makers, and industry experts. The Senator encourages staff to continuously identify opportunities to leverage new technology for traditional purposes.
The office has been a lead innovator in Congress with both the introduction of his Summit Series and the technology used therein to plan and execute these events. To allow for greater constituent interaction and information sharing, the Senator has co-hosted and moderated four summits in Montana in his three and a half years in the U.S. Senate, to include two Energy Summits (2015 & 2018), an Agriculture Summit (2017) and two High Tech Jobs Summits (2015 & 2017). In order to bring together key stakeholders, decision makers, and industry experts the Senator used a variety of technology.
Senator Daines' background prior to serving in Congress was within the field of technological development, and he brings that drive to innovate to his public service. Within the Senator's Summit series, a variety of new applications for traditional technology have emerged. For instance, ahead of each summit, an attendee will receive an e-invitation providing them with important details such as anticipated guest speakers, constituent roundtables and stakeholder discussions. These are further coordinated by identifying electronic feedback responses to better provide high-interest topics with additional dialogue and discussion.
Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-11)
For most of his career, Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-11) was a small businesses owner who operated restaurants. It was there that his love for service and community was born. As he transitioned into elected office, he carried those same values with him at every level of government. He believes that his office ought to be run like a small business, serving its constituents like you would serve a customer. It is here that all opinions and voices are welcome and heard, and where new ideas are born from the direct experience of those in the community they represent. Ensuring excellent constituent service is the hallmark of what they do.
The office believes Americans deserve an efficient and effective government that works on their behalf each and every day. In order to build public trust, Congressman DeSaulnier and staff strive to be transparent and accountable to constituents by providing a higher-level of customer service.
The office believes that constituents should know what to expect from their Member of Congress when they reach out with an issue, to share an opinion, or with a request. The office holds itself accountable by adhering to specific and targeted performance standards. These standards are publicized to constituents on their website, at town halls, via email, and with physical mailings.
Additionally, in the past four years, Congressman DeSaulnier has hosted 83 town halls and mobile district office hours in every corner of the district and across a variety of platforms. During every town hall, the Congressman has his constituents write their questions on cards and he answers as many as he can. They respond in writing to all questions he did not answer, ensuring that each and every question submitted receives a response. Congressman DeSaulnier and his staff never leave an event or town hall until every constituent wanting to speak with the Congressman has had a chance to do so. It is the Congressman's priority to ensure that no constituent feels rushed. All town halls are livestreamed on the Member's social media channels to ensure that residents who are unable to attend in person can engage online.
