State House Representative – the office of state representative serves in the Montana legislature’s lower house. There are 100 representatives who are elected from districts. Representatives are elected to 2-year terms. Representatives propose and vote on proposed laws during the legislative sessions that meet for 90 days in odd-numbered years, and provide oversight of state agencies and study issues through interim committees that meet between sessions. Representatives are limited to four consecutive 2-year terms.
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I was born in Whitefish Montana, and reside in Flathead County. I will be 23 on election day. I graduated last year from the University of Montana, and currently work as a river guide for Glacier Guides/Montana Raft and a substitute teacher for the Whitefish and Columbia Falls School Districts.
The Flathead is my home, and always will be. Growing up and recreating here amidst these wondrous landscapes inspired me to pursue my Environmental Studies degrees, enabling me to help conserve this land that provides for us. My family has seen many changes over the six generations we've been in the valley, and as more changes are happening, I hear from my family, friends, and neighbors how difficult it can be to afford a quality life here.
My first priority is affordability, as I see people in my community struggling to meet their basic needs amidst rising prices on everything from groceries to gas to housing and healthcare. I will work to lower those costs for my constituents. Another big issue for me and my fellow Montanans is public lands, as there are increasing attacks on this shared inheritance. I will fervently support maintaining the accessibility and ecological integrity of our landscape. My third priority is education; our public schools need to be adequately funded so that our children can have any opportunity they may want to pursue.
The legislature can play a role in providing economic relief, but there is a lot of debate as to how, and even whether to do so within that body. There has recently been some progress in property tax reform and Medicaid expansion, but more can be done. We can further reduce the burden on our struggling neighbors while making sure that big corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share. We can further expand Medicaid so that no one has to worry about the cost of the medical care they need.
The ability to vote is the foundation of our democracy. I support policies that make it easier for eligible voters to cast their ballots in places and times that encourage their participation. Ensuring this access ensures fair and free elections that better reflect the will of the people. Thousands of our citizens' ballots have been rejected due to confusion about measures passed to complicate the process, and this is unacceptable.
One thing we can do at the state level is limit, if not prohibit, corporations' ability to make political contributions. It should be the people, the voters, who have influence over our candidates and elected officials, not corporate entities who interested in their profit margins, not the people of our nation.
