State Senator – the office of state senator serves in the Montana legislature’s upper house. There are 50 senators who are elected from districts made up of two House districts. Senators are elected to 4-year terms which are staggered so that half are elected every two years. Senators 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. Senators are limited to two consecutive 4-year terms.
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I was born in Helena. I received my degree and early experience out of state. I moved back 15 years ago, choosing Kalispell as home. I have a business downtown and currently serve on the City Council. I am 51.
On Council, I have made extending mental health services my priority. First by supporting law enforcement co-responders, then joining the Health Board and Suicide Taskforce and became Chair for the mental health services, like 988, from Missoula.
This is the path of how to keep Kalispell vibrant for businesses and healthy for families - accessible mental health care for families in crisis. We need well funded schools and teachers who can afford to buy a home. Montana should ensure opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive here.
Funding for mental healthcare is my top priority. I believe 5% of the tax revenue from Recreational Marijuana should go to direct mental health services. Having increased access to recreational drugs should mean increased mental health support.
Next, I will make sure the funding formula for Flathead Schools, including FVCC, is rebalanced from the State. Then we need to fix how school levies work - these should be tied to inflation. You should be able to vote for a levy and know it will cover the costs to do the job.
Finally, we need to make sure communities built in flood plains have protection from flooding. We need to invest in education and flood preparedness - bringing down the cost of flood insurance for families and avoiding disaster.
Montana has a responsibility to make sure healthcare access is funded for families living below the poverty line. The State needs to continue to utilize Coal Trust funds for housing projects. I will advocate for funding specific to Flathead. I support funding making childcare and SNAP benefits available for young families.
Right now, a bigger bank account means access to healthcare and this isn’t right. Neighbors shouldn’t have to make healthcare decisions on a budget. A major health event shouldn’t force a family into a housing crisis. The legislature needs to find ways to hold hospitals accountable to their communities and make sure families have full healthcare coverage including routine wellness care and mental health services.
Elections should be early, easy and for everyone. Early voting and mail-in options increase access for voters who work, travel and for seniors. I support same-day voting because it makes it easy for voters to correct their registration and legally cast their ballot! Our elections are secure and accurate without requiring IDs or proof of citizenship.
The State can help reduce the role of money in elections by maintaining transparent campaign reports for candidates and political action committees. We should reduce the length of political campaigns within an election year (no more multi-year campaigns). This could be done by moving the Primary to August and mandating the General Election campaigning cannot start until after Labor Day.
