Our endorsements - Missoula area + Bitterroots
Loni Conley - House District 96
I am from Missoula and a single mother. I have a decade of nursing experience, with the knowledge and passion to help make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Montanans. I believe the people who work as the bedside should have more say in healthcare regulations.
Working families of Montana deserve our full efforts in creating living wage jobs and affordable housing options.
My family enjoys the backcountry on water, foot and horseback. We must keep these public lands open and under good stewardship.
Public education has afforded my children excellent education, activities, and friendships. Public education requires our full support.
I have a dual degree in Psychology and work in mental health nursing. I recognize a grave need to expand and simplify access to mental health resources.
Lisa Pavlock - House District 93 (St. Ignatius)
Lisa Pavlock is a lifelong educator who lives in St Ignatius with her family. Lisa's father served in the military, and her mother was a nurse. Lisa's upbringing taught her to believe deeply in public service. As a Founder of Glacier Lake School, Lisa is accustomed to bringing people together to work through issues, and building bridges to get things done. Lisa is running to be a voice for Lake County, and advocate for affordable healthcare, for good jobs, and for public education and educators.
Educator – past 20 years working in public, private, inner-city and rural schools
Entrepreneur – Co-founder of a school in St. Ignatius serving the local community, in charge of financial management
Board member and treasurer of League of Women Voters, Missoula
BA in Government from Smith College
LouAnn Hansen - House District 97 (Lolo)
Born and raised in rural western Montana, I’m a Montana girl with Montana values! Montana State University - Bozeman provided the backdrop for my Bachelor of Science degree. My Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction was completed through Lesley University. At the University of Montana - Missoula I completed my Elementary Education endorsement as well as my Educational Leadership and Administration endorsement. For 35 years I happily served students in Montana’s public schools and three years ago I retired after 31 years of teaching for MCPS.
Qualifications: > Montana public school teacher for 35 years > Served on the Missoula Education Association Board of Directors and Executive Board > Served on the Missoula Area Central Labor Council as a Delegate representing all of Missoula’s public school certified staff and served as a MACLC Trustee > Community leader, volunteer and activist
Monica Tranel - Public Service Commission District 4
Monica is running to be Public Service Commissioner to make Montana an energy leader in today’s economy. We can generate millions of dollars of new investment and good-paying jobs in our communities. We can optimize our tremendous resources and move into tomorrow with our energy, our power and our ability to stand at the front of a transition that will make our children proud.
In addition to two decades of experience working directly with the PSC, Monica served as a staff attorney for the PSC from 2001 to 2005 and worked for the Consumer Counsel from 2014 to 2016. She currently runs the Tranel Law Firm, which is focused on regulatory issues before the PSC, water and property rights, and represents clients who want to invest in clean energy projects.
If elected, Monica wants to restore the Commission to focus on preventing Montanans’ household bills from increasing by holding utility providers accountable and creating an environment that allows for investment in Montana communities.
“Montanans shouldn’t feel the impacts of a dysfunctional PSC in their pocketbooks or on their monthly utility bills,” she says. “As an attorney, I’ve fought and kept over $10 million in Montanans’ pockets from out-of-state monopolies.“
Shannon O’Brien - Senate District 46
Shannon O’Brien, Ed.D. has been in the field of education in both formal and informal settings for over 25 years. She has taught at the high school and college levels and more recently, as policy advisor to Governor Steve Bullock, she worked on issues and collaboration efforts ranging from early childhood learning to workforce training and economic development. Shannon was part of identifying and defining real problems in policy and finding solutions that work.
Shannon has served as chair and vice chair of her local democratic party, and volunteered on numerous campaigns, including her own when she was elected at the county level.
Shannon earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Montana, where she later returned to serve as dean of Missoula College. While in this role, she lead the development of an elaborate apprenticeship program through careful work between higher education and private industry.
Shannon completed coursework in the Danforth Educational Leadership Program at the University of Washington. She earned a master’s degree from Gonzaga University, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Washington. She worked in early college and college access, supporting families of low income and ethnic minorities in North Carolina and with the Lummi Nation in Washington State.
Katie Sullivan - House District 89
Katie is running for her second term in the Montana Legislature and is ready to get back to work.
Katie has lived in House District 89 since 2001. She graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Human Biology and attended the University of Montana School of Law. Following her passion for technology, entrepreneurship, and science, Katie continued her education and received a legal masters from the University of Colorado in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law. Katie started her path to politics by serving on her local neighborhood council.
Katie now works as a solo attorney in Missoula specializing in intellectual property law (patent, trademark and copyright) where she helps businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs protect their ideas, inventions and brands. Katie loves being part of Montana's start-up scene, and knows how important small businesses are to Montana's economy. Katie is also part owner of a small manufacturing business.
Katie met her husband, Phil Stempin of Columbia Falls, MT, while attending UM.
Connie Keogh - House District 91
Representative for HD91 in the Montana Legislature.
BA in Elementary and Special Education and taught for over 20 years.
MED in Learning and Technology and currently mentor students that are becoming teachers.
Grew up on a ranch in southwestern Montana and currently reside in Missoula.
Enjoy time with my grandchildren.
Marilyn Marler - House District 90
I am running for re-election to the Montana Legislature, and I’m excited to bring my experience as a scientist, politician, and sportswoman to Helena.
In the 2021 session I will continue to stand up for our public lands, environmental stewardship, and public education. We need a state budget that works for everyone, without leaving our vulnerable neighbors lacking basic services.
I look forward to continuing to represent Missoula in Helena.
Andrea Olsen - House District 100
Andrea, a 5th generation Montanan, was born and educated (Franklin, Hellgate, UM) in Missoula, Montana. She is committed to quality education, jobs, and healthcare for all, as well as being a steadfast supporter of clean air, clean water & access to public lands and healthy, locally-grown food.
Ellie Hill - Senate District 45
I’m a mom, attorney, community activist, former Executive Director of the Poverello Center, and I have been honored to represent Missoula in the Montana House of Representatives since 2011. Due to term limits, I am excited to now transition to the Montana Senate, where I will continue to represent my district in Senate District 45.
I am honored to already have been offered the support of our Mayor John Engen, as well as our three county commissioners, and numerous legislative colleagues and friends. I also have been named a “lifetime champion” by Montana Conservation Voters for my record on supporting our Constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.
I will continue to fight for a world class public education, economic and social justice, criminal justice reform, equality and reproductive freedom, representing our shared progressive values. Economic development is a top priority, while maintaining a Missoula that works for all Missoulians.
Laura Merrill - House District 87
I’ve had the great fortune of living in the Victor-Stevensville area since 1990. I’ve built a successful 30-year real estate career, working on behalf of hundreds of families and learning first-hand how local issues affect Montana lives and livelihoods.
I grew up in Colorado, one of five daughters in a family that is still growing! I attended Colorado State University, earning B.S. and M.S. degrees in Forestry and Plant Pathology. I’ve worked as a Forester and Forest Pathologist for the U.S. Forest Service in 10 different states, including western Montana.
I believe strongly in volunteering to give back to my community. I’ve had the pleasure of serving on several non-profit boards and in local organizations such as the Bitter Root Water Forum, the Bitter Root Land Trust, the Bitterroot Valley Board of Realtors®, the Bitterroot Human Rights Alliance, the Bitterroot Forest Restoration Committee, and currently as President of the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council.
My career path and volunteer work have uniquely prepared me to serve a diverse Ravalli County electorate in the Montana Legislature. I have the skill set to listen to differing perspectives, find common ground, and negotiate win-win solutions for critical issues affecting Montanans. My background in forestry and plant pathology equips me to scientifically evaluate public health and natural resource management policy.
Margaret Gorski - Senate District 44
I was raised by a military father and a school teacher mother who taught me to study hard, work hard, and be caring of others. I earned a B.S. in Forest Resources from the University of Washington and a M.L.A in Planning and Landscape Architecture from the University of California-Berkeley. Being the first generation of women who had new access to any career they wanted, my working career started as a summer seasonal park ranger which later led to a 30 year career in Natural Resources Management in the Forest Service, serving in several Regions in the west. I was the first woman to be hired in a number of the positions I held over the years, now I am working hard to earn Senate Seat 44, increasing the number of women serving in the Montana Senate.
My legislative priorities are focused on making Ravalli County a healthy and prosperous place to live and raise a family:
Health care
Support for public education and workforce training.
Infrastructure to support economic development, including more broadband internet access.
Reducing wildfire risk, improving access, and keeping public lands in public hands