Kopetski challenged the notion that Missoula is a “liberal” town. She said there’s been an uptick in Republican votes in recent elections here.

“We’re seeing an increase in the numbers of Republican candidates that are winning some of these races and I think we’re going to see more of that,” she said.

Kopetski said people are “sick and tired” of seeing their taxes go up “every time they turn around.”

“Taxpayers are fed up,” she said. “We get calls all the time from people being taxed out of their homes. Especially the elderly and single families and single moms raising kids.

"It is so interesting because for many years the Democrats have touted themselves the party of the little people, and that is simply not true. It is the Republicans looking out for people who maybe can’t take care of themselves. They have got nothing from the Democrat party for years.”

Having the sitting U.S. president visit Missoula is a historic event, she said.