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cathymitchell4montana@yahoo.com
As a doctoral-prepared nurse practitioner in Kalispell and former manager of outpatient surgery centers, I’ve spent my career diagnosing problems and managing high-stakes operations. In healthcare, you can’t provide a cure until you truly listen to the patient. In local government, I believe the same is true for our constituents. I am transitioning from patient care to community care because our county needs leaders who can triage complex issues, manage budgets with administrative expertise, and—most importantly—listen to the people they serve. I’m running to bring that 'bedside manner' and operational discipline to HD3, ensuring every voice in Flathead County is heard and every challenge is addressed with a plan.
First, reform property tax legislation that was passed last session to make it more equitable for all. Second, ensure a balanced state budget. Cut wasteful spending. Third, ensure election integrity by requiring real ID and secure mail-in voting so every legal Montana citizen’s vote counts. Fourth, require Montana Supreme Court and District Court judges to state their partisan affiliation; no one is without bias. Fifth, protect water resources. Revitalize production of our lumbar, coal, and minerals in the Treasure State. Eliminate or regulate data centers. Sixth, increase starting teacher pay based on performance, address the quality of education in our classrooms, implement public charter schools, and address school choice.
Prevent hospital and physician mergers creating monopolies that lead to higher prices. Prevent states and hospitals from restricting nurse practitioners from independent practice to the extent of their degree. Pay all providers the same for the same service. Capping all hospital administrator’s salaries. Audit hospitals twice a year and making it public. Shift the focus to prevention from the current sick model of medicine. Create healthcare insurance where the cost per visit is based on a sliding scale according to patient’s income. Require patient to attend counseling for drug/alcohol addiction treatment. Ensure care for our children, Veterans, and elderly. Increase “Made in American” creating jobs and providing for our needs.
Strategies for secure elections include: eliminating voter machines and hand count ballots, restrict unauthorized personnel from voting area, require real ID and state citizenship to vote, proper signature/DOB on ballots, stop gerrymandering of districts, tighten the chain of custody of the ballot, maintain accurate and up-to-date voter registration lists, close voting at the end of election day, test and verify election results, hold anyone who willingly tampers with election results criminally accountable. Money is needed for mailers, signs, and online platforms so constituents know who they are voting for. Cap on candidates spending? Election money could benefit schools, infrastructure, healthcare or lowering the nation’s debt.
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I was born in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, but only lived in Pennsylvania for 3 weeks before my dad was transferred to a new military station. My permanent residence is Polebridge, Montana in House District 3. I am currently serving as a state representative in the Montana House of Representatives. Previously, I served as a public-school teacher and principal for 34 years. My life experiences working and collaborating with many types of people helps me be an effective legislator.
--Maintaining the Integrity of Our Democratic Processes
--Affordability: Housing, Healthcare, Childcare
--Quality Public Education for every child
--Protecting Our Public Lands and Our Clean and Healthful Environment
Economic issues are very important for people in House District 3. In the 2025 legislative session, I introduced legislation to give local governments a tool to help create more affordable housing. I voted for the continuation of Medicaid (affordable health insurance) for working families. I voted for property tax revisions that lowered tax rates for 80% of fulltime residential homeowners. After the legislative session, I made 3 presentations in House District 3 to inform constituents about the changes in property taxes. I remain very committed to this issue as a component of affordability and will continue to work on solutions to this problem.
As an elected representative, I support every bill that makes it easier and more efficient for citizens to exercise their right to vote and I vote against every bill that tries to limit or make it more difficult for citizens to vote. For instance, I voted against a bill to eliminate same-day voter registration and I voted against one that would make it more difficult for college students to exercise their right to vote. Voting is the foundation of our democracy, and we need to make it easier (not harder) for every citizen to exercise their right to vote.
In the 2025 legislative session, we defeated many attempts to create a partisan judiciary. I voted against these bills at every opportunity.
