The Issues

Immigration Reform

Unchecked immigration is causing significant problems in this country (and other countries as well). The words written on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" are an ideal worth preserving, but not at the expense of unchecked chaos. I believe we need to work to reform the immigration situation, but as importantly enforce the rules and policies that exist. It's a big issue, and Montanans should not have to bear the financial burden of people living in this country illegally.

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medicare expansion

Medicare expansion is a major issue for the next legislative session. Almost 100,000 Montanans rely on this program, and we need to find a way to continue it for those most at risk.

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Womens Healthcare Advocate

I believe that the right to choose should be protected for women. That right exists in Montana's constitution, and it must remain protected. That doesn't mean I want people to have abortions. However, I believe that decision should be made by the woman who is pregnant.

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Housing Affordability/Shortages
My children will soon be going to college. If they don’t go to MSU (which I hope they do!), I want them to be able to return here afterwards, if that’s their goal. I’m a firm believer in the role of supply and demand when it comes to housing. The zoning reforms passed by the 2023 Legislature are a good start to help increase the supply of housing by building in and up, not always out. We need to address the fact that government regulation accounts for almost 25% of the cost to build housing. We have some great builders and construction companies in the Gallatin Valley, and I’ll look to their expertise in ways to make housing more affordable. We should all seek to continue the bipartisan momentum on this issue next session.

 

Access to Public Lands
Access to public lands is what makes Montana, Montana. It’s one of my favorite things about Bozeman. I’ll always support Montanans’ right to hunt, fish, hike, and recreate in these special places, and to ensure they remain accessible for our kids and grandkids.

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Voting Integrity

I do not believe the last election was stolen. It was a tough race, and Joe Biden was fairly elected as president. I want both of the current candidates to do a better job telling us what they will do instead of what the other candidate won't do. I do think that a person should have to validate or prove their citizenship before being allowed to register to vote.

 

Energy Policy
Montana needs to be a net energy exporter. We can’t rely on forces outside our state to control our market. It’s simply too expensive. I will look to Montana entrepreneurs and innovators to best bridge the gap between our current sources of energy, like coal and natural gas, and sustainable and renewable energy sources, like wind and solar. Beyond that, we should all consider a truly all-of-the-above approach, and that means looking closely at sources like hydrogen and nuclear. But one thing is clear: Government cannot prop up an industry or a company.

 

Agriculture
No Farms, No Food. It’s a simple statement, but it’s true. Our farmers and ranchers in the Gallatin Valley need a seat at the table in Helena, and I’ll work with them to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.

 

Education
Montana’s public education system is failing too many of our children. It feels like too much of the conversation in Helena revolves around extraneous controversial issues and not a concern for our students. We need to ensure our state lives up to the constitutional promise to “develop the full educational potential of each person.” The Constitution gives the legislature the ability to provide other “educational programs as it deems desirable,” and the 2023 Legislature was right to create a path for charter and community choice schools. Not every student learns in the same manner, and by investing in our public schools, improving teacher pay, and fostering alternative learning settings, we can improve educational outcomes for every Montana child.

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Liberty & Justice for all

I believe that hatred, bigotry, and division have no place in politics or government. As our pledge says, we are "one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." To me, those are not just words; they are ideals. If elected, I would work to ensure that those values are reflected in our laws and how we govern.