As a native Montanan from Dillon, I have spent more than 30 years of my life living in this beautiful state and almost a decade in the Flathead Valley. I've gone from renting in Section 8 housing as a poor college student in Missoula to buying a first house in 2018. I've gone from working retail for $6/h to being a stay-at-home mom of three kids with a steady family income and a side photography business. I have experienced a lot of different lives in this wonderful state.

I know how important it is to be able to find work, be able to afford housing, and not get crippled by property taxes and medical bills. I know how essential quality education and accessible healthcare are for my family. I have experienced the peace that our natural landscape provides, regardless of one's income.

I want to make sure every Montanan has these things: fully-funded schools with adequately paid educators, access to quality healthcare, ability to buy or rent without feeling "house poor," and full use of the public lands we all love so much. At the same time, I want to work on state funding issues to make sure we can balance our state budget while providing these services.

Most importantly, I want to bridge the gap between moderate sides of the political divide. We need bipartisan cooperation right now more than ever — where all District 10 voters and Montanans feel heard and valued. We are neighbors first, and we can't forget that.