Survey responses received as of October 5, 2022:
- Jill Cohenour (HD 84)
- Mary Ann Dunwell (SD 42)
- Janet Ellis (SD 41)
- Bob Leach (HD 83)
JILL COHENOUR - House District 84
1. Why are you running for this office? Please discuss your education and experiences that qualify you to hold this office.
I am running because I really enjoy making policy that makes life better for Montana families. I have served in the House, and the Senate, and worked across the aisle to find legislative solutions to the issues that Montanans care about. I am a scientist and I care about using science and data to make decisions, rather than politics. In my time in the Legislature, I never served in a majority, but I was able to pass 68 bills. I did that by creating relationships, researching information, focusing on our Montana values and working closely with my colleagues to find solutions that work. Experience is very valuable in the legislative process. You build trust and the ability to work together over time. I specialize in tax policy, Fish Wildlife and Parks, and natural resources. I've worked on education, water and agriculture issues. All of these affect Montanans daily lives and our economy.
2. What do you see as the biggest economic challenge(s) to the people of Montana and why?
Quality Public Education is a challenge for the Montana economy. We have not kept up with funding schools in Montana and with the attacks on public education we are seeing a continued lack of investment in the educated workforce needed to support Montana's economic growth. Investment in the kinds of educational programs that provide workers for our economy will drive innovation and support the changes needed for Montana to take a leadership role in the US economy. We have the ability with our wind, water and solar to be a leader in renewable energy that the energy markets are asking for. Investments in our schools from pre-K to higher Ed will pay dividends for Montana's economic future. I am also very concerned about mental health, childcare access/cost and affordable housing as issues that need attention in the legislature for our economy to thrive.
3. What measures do you support to secure elections and improve voter accessibility, if any?
Voting is a fundamental right, and it should not be limited. I believe that our local elections administrators and volunteers take the job very seriously. We need to seek their input into any changes needed to improve election security. They are situated to see the issues and to suggest the solutions needed. We need to continue to allow for same day voter registration, allow students to use their college ID, and remove any other barriers placed before voters. Mail-in balloting must be protected and not limited. Montana should be able to have multiple ballot collection and voting sites in rural counties to ease the burden on voters. Travel is a barrier for voting in many of our rural and tribal communities. We should be enhancing the ability for people to vote not making it more difficult for them to do so. Our democracy depends on it.
4. Montana’s Constitution (Article 2, Section 10) guarantees a Right of Privacy, which has been interpreted by the Montana Supreme Court to protect women’s reproductive decisions. If elected, would you vote to protect or limit Montanans' constitutional right of privacy as interpreted by our Supreme Court? Please explain your response.
Montana's Constitutional Right of Privacy enshrined the right to bodily autonomy for all our citizens. I will vote to protect the interpretation of the Right of Privacy that Montanans count on. The Montana Supreme Court got it right. So much comes from that fundamental right that we must all be prepared to defend that provision and the rest of our unique Constitution. I do believe Montanans will step up to protect the Constitution if needed. The recent attacks on our independent judiciary have been very troubling and we need to vigilante about protecting that as well.
5. Is climate change a threat to Montana’s economy? What mitigating action to address climate change, if any, do you support?
Climate change is a threat to Montana's economy and that of the United States. Montana can be a leader in addressing climate change and gain the economic advantages available by incentivizing the transition to other forms of energy that do not exacerbate climate change. Oil, gas, and coal will continue to be needed as we transition to new forms of energy. We must look to provide what the market is asking for, renewable energy. Like we incentivized other natural resource development, we can and should also incentivized wind, solar, and battery/storage development. Montana has amazing resources in wind, water and solar available for customers that want to buy it inside and outside of Montana. We can also create the educated workforce needed to achieve the transition to other forms of energy, which will create well-paying Montana jobs.
6. Do you support legislation addressing school choice, curriculum, or parental rights with respect to public education? Please explain your positions.
I support our PUBLIC educational system in Montana. Montana's public schools must take all children and support their educational attainment. By taking resources away from public schools, schools are not able to provide the educated workforce needed to meet the needs of Montana's economy. We are already seeing teachers leaving the state for better pay, and recruitment in rural areas is difficult if not impossible. I read often about efforts to allow waivers from licensing requirements in order to get people in the classroom to teach. If we provided resources from the state to help with teacher pay, created a statewide teacher insurance pool to reduce health insurance costs, and worked on housing issues in communities across Montana, we could make a real difference in our kids' lives and our economy.
7. What legislation would you support to address the medical needs of all Montanans? If elected, would you vote to renew Montana's Medicaid expansion program? Why or why not?
I would very much like to see improved access to insurance and healthcare. Medicaid expansion helped around 98,000 Montanans to access healthcare that keeps them working and allows them to be productive members of our economy. Medicaid expansion improved access to healthcare by keeping many rural hospitals and local healthcare facilities open when they would have closed due to the cost of providing care to the uninsured. Low-income Montanans deserve to have their healthcare needs addressed and Medicaid expansion provided the federal funds, with state match, for a program that helped kids and families in communities across Montana. I would vote to renew the program and hope that we can enhance it to help more Montanans. With the new federal bill that allows for Medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs, I think Montana should be doing that as well for all the programs where the state is providing prescription assistance.
8. Discuss the top two legislative goals which, if elected, you wish to achieve by the end of the 2023 Montana State legislative session.
I will be working on bills to reduce property taxes for both renters and homeowners in Montana. A Circuit Breaker based on income tax will provide the highest benefit to those that need it most. I will be fighting to protect the Montana Constitution and the rights guaranteed to all Montanans. My goal is to make sure that the Montana Constitution continues to contain the provisions that we all count on.
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MARY ANN DUNWELL - Senate District 42 Helena/East Helena
1. Why are you running for this office? Please discuss your education and experiences that qualify you to hold this office.
As a public servant who lives by the servant leadership principle to work for public benefit, not my personal gain, serving Helena and East Helena in the Montana House of Representatives for the last eight years has been a way to help and advocate for others, especially those most vulnerable or without a powerful voice.
I want to continue in the legislature and am running for the Montana State Senate because so much is at stake right now and there’s still much to do to guarantee an economy that works for everyone.
As I talk with constituents, they’re concerned about making ends meet. Inflation keeps rising, yet wages stagnate. Montana remains one of the lowest paying states. Montanans need inflationary adjustments, livable wages, and decent raises.
As a legislator, I vote on the state pay plan. It’s imperative that we value state workers and use part of our state revenue windfall of $1.7 Billion to give them a significant pay boost that’s been a long time coming.
I’d like to use some of that surplus to help people facing high property taxes and rent hikes, those who need health and mental healthcare, affordable housing and childcare.
I want to protect our beloved state Constitution and its many rights—to vote, make our own reproductive health decisions, participate in government and access public information, enjoy equality of opportunity, and be who we are and love who we love. I want to continue in the Legislature to find workable solutions to people’s concerns and challenges.
During my time in the House, I've sat on the following committees: Health & Human Services, Taxation, Local Government, Natural Resources, Consumer Committee, and Legislative Administration.
I’ve worked with other legislators to pass Medicaid expansion, mental health system improvement, increased prosecution of child sexual abuse, water compact, and infrastructure bills to fund roads, bridges, and our Heritage Center. I’ve defended our beloved Montana Constitution when it’s been tested by unconstitutional bills that violate our rights.
I’ve demonstrated leadership with courage and heart, and will continue to stand up for you. I’d be honored to serve you in Senate District 42, Helena and East Helena and hope to earn your votes. Thank you.
2. What do you see as the biggest economic challenge(s) to the people of Montana and why?
Montana's quality of life, public health, and economy are suffering from an affordable and workforce housing crisis. We need a comprehensive, all-hands-on-deck, multi-pronged and bi-partisan approach to increase the supply of quality affordable homes and decrease the price/rent that currently keeps many folks out of the housing and rental markets-- in many cases, homeless.
We need to drop divisive politics and work together to enact laws and policies from inclusive, creative, progressive zoning regulations to homeowner/renter tax credits, to affordable housing developer tax credits and incentives, to land use.
Our state revenue coffers have the money. We can to this--working together and dropping politics so we can truly serve Montana and its workforce and affordable housing crisis.
3. What measures do you support to secure elections and improve voter accessibility, if any?
Montana elections are secure and serving Montanans well. I've attending public education sessions by my Lewis & Clark Co. Elections Office that demonstrate secure ballot and election systems. Our tabulators cannot be hacked. It's a reckless witch-hunt that some elected 'leaders' say our elections are fraudulent.
We need policies for more voter access, I'd repeal our unconstitutional 2021 legislative session's bills, now law, that eliminated same day voter registration, use of college IDs, and other voter suppression measures that specifically hurt Tribal communities. I'll go to the mat for our voter rights--our fundamental right in our democracy. Without voter rights and a say in our government, no other public policy goals can really happen.
4. Montana’s Constitution (Article 2, Section 10) guarantees a Right of Privacy, which has been interpreted by the Montana Supreme Court to protect women’s reproductive decisions. If elected, would you vote to protect or limit Montanans' constitutional right of privacy as interpreted by our Supreme Court? Please explain your response.
I am a Pro-Choice candidate and will continue to vote to protect Montana’s Constitution and all the rights it affords, including our right to privacy. I will vote to uphold the settled law in the Montana Supreme Court’s Armstrong case that Montana’s Constitutional Right to Privacy includes a person’s right to abortion and other reproductive health services. Government should not interfere with our private reproductive decisions or dictate how to plan our families.
5. Is climate change a threat to Montana’s economy?What mitigating action to address climate change, if any, do you support?
Our climate crisis poses an existential threat to our world, nation, and state-threatening public health, environment, economy, and national security. I will continue to reintroduce bold climate legislative solutions such as carbon cost and community benefit, a bill to charge a per ton pollution fee to Montana's biggest industrial emitters. The revenue would fund energy transition to sustainable economic development, jobs, livelihoods, and energy. I will fight against new fossil fuel development, currently working against plans by our monopoly utility to build a gas power plant and pipeline. I will encourage renewables investment, an EV station network, net metering, a recycling manufacturing industry in MT, and conservation.
6. Do you support legislation addressing school choice, curriculum, or parental rights with respect to public education? Please explain your positions.
I support public schools and oppose using public money to fund private schools. About 95 percent of Montana’s students attend public schools that need public funds to operate, improve, provide all the latest resources to students and teachers, and compensate teachers and staff well.
I support national educational standards for curriculum and wholeheartedly oppose legislation that would meddle in, lower the bar, or censor science-based standards and impose Christian Nationalist standards under the guise of “parental rights.”
I vehemently oppose book banning.
I do support legislation for school programs and screening that address student mental health and have introduced such legislation during each of the last four legislative sessions. I also support support comprehensive health education in high school to include science-based sex and LGBTQI+ information.
7. What legislation would you support to address the medical needs of all Montanans? If elected, would you vote to renew Montana's Medicaid expansion program? Why or why not?
I believe that healthcare is a human right and all Montanans should receive healthcare. I support single payer healthcare like Medicare for all.
One of the reasons I decided to run for office back in 2014 was to help pass Medicaid expansion, which we did in 2015. We extended it in the 2019 legislative session, and I’ll continue to vote to renew Medicaid expansion as long as I’m serving. Not only has Medicaid expansion provided necessary health and mental healthcare to one in 10 Montanans, but it’s been an economic boon to hospitals, especially rural and critical care hospitals, and their communities.
8. Discuss the top two legislative goals which, if elected, you wish to achieve by the end of the 2023 Montana State legislative session.
After serving eight years in the House, it’s clear to me what we accomplish together is much more important, impactful, and sustainable than what any one legislator can do individually. I hope to work together with legislators and the public in the new legislative session with renewed civility and respect for one another and get things done for Montanans. That’s my first big goal.
I recently lost a younger sister to cancer. My grief over her passing amplifies how important it is to help Montana families.
That’s my second big goal. So, I will continue to champion legislation for hardworking Montanans and their families—affordable housing and childcare, livable wages and benefits, paid family leave, public education, health and mental healthcare, and public lands for families to recreate and enjoy one another’s company. I will fight to guarantee privacy and reproductive rights to make your own family planning decisions, LGBTQI+ non-discrimination, and to protect our state Constitution and the many rights it affords Montanans and their families.
Thank you for investing your time to read my survey responses.
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JANET ELLIS - Senate District 41
1. Why are you running for this office? Please discuss your education and experiences that qualify you to hold this office.
I am running for re-election because I want to put my experience to work to advocate for the values Senate District 41 constituents care about: clean air, clean water, open space, secure and accessible elections, privacy rights, access to health care, and quality public education.
I have been a state legislator in Montana since 2015, both in the House and Senate. During that time, I have primarily served on committees focused on the state’s budget, including working as the 2021 Minority Vice Chair of the Senate budget committee. During 2021-2022, my interim committee work includes 7 committees, including Legislative Finance (overseeing the state budget), Energy & Telecommunications, State Administration & Veterans Affairs (which I chair and which oversees state pensions), the American Rescue Plan Act Communications Commission (overseeing broadband internet installation with federal stimulus money), and the Upper Columbia Conservation Council (overseeing aquatic invasive species west of the divide).
I have lived in Helena for over 30 years. My son graduated from Helena High School in 2013. My husband and I are grateful to Helena’s public schools and teachers for preparing our son for college and graduate school.
Before being elected to the Montana Senate, I worked for Montana Audubon, a science-based, conservation organization dedicated to birds, wildlife, and their habitats. I coordinated Montana Audubon’s public policy work, starting in 1983. Until 2013, I also served as a citizen advocate at the Montana Legislature for Audubon on wildlife, habitat, and public lands.
I graduated with a degree in biology from the University of Montana.
2. What do you see as the biggest economic challenge(s) to the people of Montana and why?
I believe that Montana’s biggest economic challenges revolve around ensuring that Montanans have ready access to food, shelter, and healthcare. Housing prices and the cost of rent has increased markedly in Helena and across the state, making it very difficult for folks to afford to buy a home or find an affordable place to rent. These are complex issues to work on. Being a legislator is a team sport. The only way the state will reach solutions to very complex problems is to have a majority of legislators agree to the solutions. For Democrats like me, when Democrats are in the minority, that means working with Republican colleagues to pass significant legislation. Whenever I can, I will continue to reach across the aisle to advance legislation that improves the lives of my constituents—and all Montanans.
3. What measures do you support to secure elections and improve voter accessibility, if any?
Secure, accessible elections are a ‘bread and butter’ issue for me. I currently chair the State Administration and Veterans Affair Interim Committee, which oversees election issues in the state. As a specific example, last session I successfully sponsored a bill that guaranteed better access to individuals with disabilities in special elections in our state.
Unfortunately, during the 2021 session, the Legislature also passed several bills that, I believe, would stifle the vote of Native Americans and young people. I opposed all these bills and am happy that they are being challenged in court.
If re-elected, I will continue to be a strong advocate for secure and accessible elections (which we currently have). Many of my fellow senators look to me as a leader on this issue.
4. Montana’s Constitution (Article 2, Section 10) guarantees a Right of Privacy, which has been interpreted by the Montana Supreme Court to protect women’s reproductive decisions. If elected, would you vote to protect or limit Montanans' constitutional right of privacy as interpreted by our Supreme Court? Please explain your response.
I have been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, Montanans for Choice, and Carol’s List – all organizations that work hard to guarantee that all Montanans have a right to privacy in health care decisions. If elected, I will vote to protect Montanans’ constitutional right of privacy and a woman’s’ right to make her own health care decisions in consultation with her doctor.
5. Is climate change a threat to Montana’s economy? What mitigating action to address climate change, if any, do you support?
Climate change is a direct, urgent threat to Montana’s economy. It is critical to take steps to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. I have been working on legislation to allow local communities to provide renewable energy, as well as ways to modernize the electric grid to better use renewable energy sources paired with storage. I sit on the state Energy and Telecommunication Interim Committee, which has been focused on grid modernization. I have—and will continue—to support other pieces of legislation that offer climate change solutions, such as legislation that makes it easier for utilities to develop microgrids and increased funding for capping abandoned oil and gas wells (a significant methane source).
6. Do you support legislation addressing school choice, curriculum, or parental rights with respect to public education? Please explain your positions.
I have been endorsed by the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE), which represents most teachers in the state. I support quality public schools in Montana, where local School Boards govern the operations of local schools. Although parents should be welcomed participants in classrooms, they should not be allowed to interfere with classroom operations. In addition, I believe that scarce public tax dollars should support public schools—and not be diverted to private, for-profit schools.
7. What legislation would you support to address the medical needs of all Montanans? If elected, would you vote to renew Montana's Medicaid expansion program? Why or why not?
I believe that all Montanans should have access to healthcare to meet their medical needs, including access to mental healthcare programs/treatments. Although it is unlikely to be voted on during the 2023 Legislature, I would vote to renew Montana’s Medicaid expansion program, a program I have supported for many years. This program is necessary because it provides many Montanans access to healthcare coverage when they could not afford it otherwise.
8. Discuss the top two legislative goals which, if elected, you wish to achieve by the end of the 2023 Montana State legislative session.
I am unclear if this question is asking about what I believe I personally will work on, or what I believe the Montana Legislature, as a whole, should work on. Because each legislator has different areas of expertise, we frankly rely on each other’s expertise to develop solutions—especially to more complex issues.
To begin, I personally plan to work on climate change solutions. Specifically, in 2023, I would like to develop a framework for communities who want to become carbon neutral within the next decade or so. Utah has passed an intriguing model of such a framework. That said, it is important to collaborate with interested parties when developing legislation so that a better solution can be developed.
Secondly, I personally will work to defend Montana’s constitution.
I believe the biggest challenges facing the entire 2023 legislature revolve around our state’s budget and revenue sources (including property tax rates), as well as affordable housing. These issues—and every issue—will require an “all-hands-on-deck” approach. I will certainly participate in developing legislative solutions to these issues.
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ROBERT (Bob) LEACH - House District 83
1. Why are you running for this office? Please discuss your education and experiences that qualify you to hold this office.
I am running because I do not agree with my opponent's views and because I was asked to run. I came to Montana in 1970, raised 4 boys, bought my house in 1975, put myself through Helena Vo-tech for a 2year Electronics Certificate & Consumer Electronic Certificates, Owned my own business and spent 30 years as Maintenance Supervisor. I love Montana and the Helena. I have always worked in the service industry and i'm looking foreword to serving my district.
2. What do you see as the biggest economic challenge(s) to the people of Montana and why? Jobs, housing, food cost and taxes.
3. What measures do you support to secure elections and improve voter accessibility, if any? Keep paper ballets so they can be verified and recounted if we have a problem.
4. Montana’s Constitution (Article 2, Section 10) guarantees a Right of Privacy, which has been interpreted by the Montana Supreme Court to protect women’s reproductive decisions. If elected, would you vote to protect or limit Montanans' constitutional right of privacy as interpreted by our Supreme Court? Please explain your response.
Our privacy ended when we bought an I-phone and hooked our computers to the internet. Now "Right to Privacy" keep parents from knowing if their kids are having an abortion.
5. Is climate change a threat to Montana’s economy? What mitigating action to address climate change, if any, do you support?
The only real threat is the FEAR of climate change. The weather changes at least 4 times a year in Montana and sometimes twice in one day. We will adjust and overcome. We need preparation, not FEAR.
6. Do you support legislation addressing school choice, curriculum, or parental rights with respect to public education? Please explain your positions.
The needs of the child may be different then children. Why shouldn't the parent make the choice about what is best for their child.
7. What legislation would you support to address the medical needs of all Montanans? If elected, would you vote to renew Montana's Medicaid expansion program? Why or why not?
The current law is working and will be looked at in 2025. The problems that it is paid for by the federal government which is in dept 31 trillion dollars. If they with draw their support, Montana can not support the program. They can print more money, but Montana can't
8. Discuss the top two legislative goals which, if elected, you wish to achieve by the end of the 2023 Montana State legislative session.
Give the taxpayer back their money. And help Montana Children.
These responses are published as received with no edits. All Helena-area candidates running in contested races were invited to respond to this survey. We will add more responses as they are received, up until November 1. Check back for updates!
