Meet the Candidate: Your Voice for Montana HB37

The last three days have been a whirlwind of shock, emotion, stress, and incredible excitement! I was asked to run for Montana House district seat 37 and I didn't hesitate . . . Well, to be honest, my first response was, "Me? You want me!? But, WHY!?" Then I said, "Well, sure!! Of course I'll run!

For those who follow me and those who know me know that I call myself a "liberal conservative." What does that mean?

First, how did I go from staunch "Conservative" in philosophy to more "middle of the road?"

Well, I've lived a lot of life. Haven't we all? I'm pretty unique though. I like to say I've lived three lifetimes! My first life was growing up on a ranch, as well as in the sea. Please don't hold it against me, it's not my fault I was born in Florida!! Make no mistake though, I have more saddle time than most cowboys in Montana! I grew up in South Florida working on the Golden Eagles Ranch from age 8, ($2.00 a day!!! ), and then at 15 I snuck, actually just walked, onto the backside of Hialeah Park racetrack. I worked on "the track," until I was well into my 20's then moved into show and boarding barns working up to trainer, instructor, and finally, barn manager. In 1980 I even spent the summer in Jackson, Wyoming, as a Wrangler.

In the meantime, I was also close to the sea, and am as comfortable in and on the water as I am on land. I married a fishing boat Captain and we were married for 17 bumpy years. He died in 1995, and I was a widow with two young children. End of life one. End of the flying career I had just begun. But the beginning of my second life!

During this time, my new life in Christ began. I was "born again" at 15, and at 20 I got the first hint that God was calling me into ministry, a call I denied for nearly 15 years. Theology is complicated.

Life number two was in North Florida and then the mountains of North Carolina. During our time in North Florida my son was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, in 1997. I attended College there (my second AS degree) and in 1999 We moved and settled in the Boone/Blowing Rock area and we were there for about 15 years. I did a lot in those 15 years, from, managing a small airport, working with horses, and amazingly enough, I became a United Methodist pastor! By this time I already had 4 years of college under my belt, and had begun studying for my BA in English. My kids grew up, I began learning about what it meant to be a "full-time caregiver," left the ministry after only 5 years to care for an ill family member, and after that . . . End of life number two!

Now, we find ourselves in, Adventures With Tracey Volume III, The Montana Years! Another thing I like to say is, "I'm not from here but I got home as fast as I could!"

My son and I arrived in Laurel Montana in November of 2013, in a Dodge 3/4 ton van pulling a horse trailer, with my wheelchair bound son in the van, and my Appaloosa stallion (And everything we owned) in the trailer! What an adventure! When people ask me where I'm from, I ask them, "Which time??" My son Robert and I have moved around Montana, exploring, getting to know the people, the issues, and this gorgeous land.

We have lived in Laurel, Pray (Paradise Valley), spent nearly 5 years in Livingston, have lived in Dillon, and then in the far Northwest corner, Heron, in the lower Clark Fork valley (That's how I got saddled with an Idaho phone number!), then from Heron to the prairie of Garfield County, And finally to Lewistown. After a year in Lewistown we found a house that we could afford, and after probably moving 50 times in my life, it was time to stop, settle down, put down some roots. We bought the old mercantile / post office in historic Christina, halfway between Hilger and Winifred.

And suddenly, unexpectedly, I'm actually running for a seat on the Montana State legislature. Whaaaat!?!? Trust me, I am as shocked as you are! So, back to that liberal conservative label.

What have I learned in three lifetimes? I've learned that I don't know it all, that it doesn't have to be my way, and people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

I was born into privilege, I had it pretty good as a child. As a young married adult we struggled to make ends meet, fishing boats are feast or famine! Raising our two youngsters, and dealing with the death of my husband was a sharp curve to navigate. Financially, things went sharply downhill from there. I am a veteran of wars, not of the military, but fighting for survival. I have fought with the Social Security system, the welfare system, the housing system, the health care system, the legal system, and the transportation system, both on the state and federal level.

What have I learned? I've learned that our major systems that are intended to serve and help people need reform.

I've learned that everyone has a story. From impromptu prayer meetings in the aisles of Walmart and grocery stores, to waiting rooms and everywhere else, everyone has a story.

I've learned not to judge too soon or unfairly. When I hear the stories, and in most cases I can say, "I understand. I've been there."

I've learned to care. The most important lesson I think I've learned, or am learning, is that our lives are intertwined. The more we do to help others, improves our own lives. When those around us do well, we do well. When we help others succeed, we succeed. When we care for others, we care for ourselves. When we make life better for others, it improves life for ourselves.

I hate to say I'm running "against" anyone, it's such a negative term! So I'll say it this way, I'm competing with Shane Klakken for the position of representing House District 37 in our state legislature. I have great respect for Shane, he's a lifelong Montanan, and he too has lived a lot of life! We have both lost spouses, we are both deeply faithful Christians, we are both pilots, and we have both raised children after the loss of a parent. He has had a military career, some time in business, and he owns a ranch that was handed down to him from his parents. He is a solid Montanan!

So why run? What makes me think that I can do better in our state legislature than Shane Klakken? Well, I have more experience with government and social issues, I have lived through battles, fighting my way through bureaucracy and red tape. I know what it's like to work as hard as you can and still not be able to make ends meet. I know what it's like to be faced with the possibility of homelessness, I have felt the desperation of a parent trying to navigate Social Services, I have fought a health system that says, "We don't have time to deal with all your issues, which one would you like us to treat today?" I have struggled with finding affordable housing. I am not ashamed to say we have lived in "non-traditional" housing of many different types because of the lack of affordable housing. I have struggled with the choice between food and medicine, I'm still struggling with meeting the needs of my disabled adult son, who lives with me. I was just advised by Medicaid Waiver after being financially and logistically approved, that they cannot help us put an accessible bathroom in my house because the contractors won't guarantee their work in a house this old. SO frustrating! Not just for me, but for all who have disabled family members.

So what do I bring to the table? Why should you hire me to represent you in our state legislature?

Because I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore! I'm sick and tired of dealing with barriers to health care, I am sick and tired of dealing with a welfare system that is designed to keep people in poverty. I am sick and tired of having to fight for every penny, of having to pay $1,000 or more dollars for a one bedroom apartment! And as much as I LOVE my new home here in Christina (I'm never moving again!), I'm sick and tired that I had to "settle" for a substandard home because I couldn't afford anything else. I'm disgusted that I went to every bank in the county and couldn't get a down payment loan because I had a poor credit score. Why? Because I have a lot of debt? NO! Because I don't live on credit! And I am absolutely incensed that the people who need help the most, are the ones least likely to get it!

Now, I am in a better position in life, I am a homeowner, with an income that allows me to seek public office, that allows me to make a difference. I have enough life experience to know that while I can't fix everything for everyone, that I might be able to fix things for you. I might be able to make a difference because of the experiences I've had, and the lessons I've learned. I bring fresh ideas, potential solutions, and if nothing else, I can teach my peers In the Montana legislature how they can help working families, single parents, parents caring for sick and disabled children, how to help those needing mental health care, how to help children caring for aging parents, how to preserve the dignity of people who find themselves in difficult circumstances due to no fault of their own. I will be your voice, I will be your hands and feet in the halls of our state capital.

As a lifelong professional horse woman, I don't have a lot of experience with cattle, but I do keep up with the issues of agriculture and the farm bill, And I strongly believe in the preservation of water and grazing rights. Farmers and ranchers are the lifeblood of this country, and big money corporations are trying to come in and take that away from us. I will not tolerate it! In 1972 Montana fought and won the war to take the state back from the Copper Kings and big money in politics. Now they're back. And they're trying to take your land for server farms and hyperscale data centers. They're trying to take away our water rights so they can use our water to sustain their computer infrastructure.

My Montana friends, I see you. I hear you. And now I have an opportunity to be your voice at the state capital. It's true, my own opinions are strong. But, entering politics means that I am YOUR voice, that your opinions take precedence over my own. As a legislator it will be my job to let YOUR voice be heard in the halls of our capital. What do YOU want from our state government? What do YOU care about, What are YOU afraid of? How do you want to see Montana navigating an uncertain future?

Montana is growing, and with growth comes change. I believe that if we failed to plan, we plan to fail. Living my unique life, in so many different places, and having so many life experiences, I believe that in Helena I can make a positive difference In your life, your family's life, and the life of our children and grandchildren. As a young great-grandmother, I would like to be able to smooth the path for my TWO great-grandchildren as they navigate the future. Having a position in our legislature will allow me to share potential solutions that will help us plan for the future of our children and their children. I humbly request that you give me that chance. Try something new, instead of voting for the same old, same old, good old boys club, vote for me! New energy, fresh ideas, initiative! This is what I will bring to the Montana legislature.

I believe in Montana and I believe in you! I'm home now, and I'm ready to go to work for you, leading, advocating, encouraging, teaching, and protecting.

Over the next few months I am looking forward to meeting you, listening to you, and learning from you. I will be visiting your homes, your businesses, and the places where you have fun. Every week I will let you know where I will be, and I hope that you will take the opportunity to get to know me.

I have a campaign phone number, And you can call this number at anytime to reach me, and if it's the middle of the night, you can leave a message and I will call you back If you want me to. I will have the voicemail set up by tomorrow morning. Call me, with questions, and comments about what you want to see in your state legislature. I want to hear from you! My number is 406-366-1240, anytime, day or night! I'm looking forward to hearing from you, and even more, I am looking forward to SERVING you.

A scenic view of Montana's natural beauty, symbolizing the connection to the land and community.

Fight (and Vote) for what matters!

When ONE person has their freedom taken away without just cause, when ONE person loses the right to due process, when ONE person is hated because they're different, then we have ALL lost our freedom, we have ALL lost the right to due process, when one person is hated, then we are ALL hated and injured by racial or social injustice. We are losing everything that America stands for, and yet people are snarking and sniping on Facebook.

We, the people, are on the same team! All of us love our country, ALL of us want what's best for ALL. We simply disagree on the how! And that's OKAY!! We are not enemies!!! Our enemies are those who serve themselves and their own ambitions, not the People's. Our enemies are those who care nothing about the greater good. You, good people, are fighting amongst yourselves, when our country and our way of life is literally disintegrating.

Look around. Consider what your elected Montana officials are doing. Is your life getting better or worse? Are you having an easier time with finances, housing, your health, your work? Or are you sliding down a slippery slope towards bankruptcy? If your spouse or partner lost their job, would you lose the house? If you were fired, could you afford the doctor or your medication? Will you ever make enough money to get ahead? Can you afford the costs associated with your kids graduation?? Do you have to make hard choices between food, medicine, diapers, child care, and how much you have left for gas? People!!

Immigrants are not the enemy. Once you figure out who the real enemy is, then, and only then, real positive change will come. My friends, stop fighting among yourselves about who is right and who is left. Start fighting the bloated, corrupt, billionaire supported politicians that are dining, dancing, and drinking, while our country implodes.

How do you learn to recognize counterfeit money? By studying the REAL money. How do you recognize corrupt politicians? By studying those who are not corrupt. Study your elected officials. Find the ones who have integrity, honor, compassion, wisdom, and who are servant leaders. Support them, encourage them, talk to them! They are the REAL thing! If your elected officials do not look like the real thing, you know what to do. Fire their (bleeped) and hire real, authentic people who care more about you than about themselves!

Midterms are coming. Vote well, because voting matters. Voting has real consequences. Vote for the counterfeit and corrupted, and you'll get exactly what you voted for. Vote for integrity, honor, compassion, and wisdom, and you've voted for a better world, for you and for our children. Just stop fighting each other! Start fighting for what matters to you! Vote for me, and I promise to do my very best to make life better for you, and for ALL Montanans, even if they don't vote for me. I want to hear from you! 406-366-1240 Anytime.