By Pat Earnest, Hamilton
Matt Rosendale has called Montana home for almost 20 years and established deep roots in the community. I know Matt and his wife Jean, who have been married for over 30 years and I’ve met two of their three sons that they raised on their ranch north of Glendive. Matt and his family chose to live in Montana because it represents the values they hold dear: God, liberty, and an individual’s right to rule themselves without the pressing hand of an intrusive government. Those basic and fundamental beliefs and his community pushed Rosendale to run for public office, where he served in the state legislature for six years. During that time, he demonstrated a strong ability to work with elected officials from both parties to cut unnecessary spending and protect Montanans’ constitutional rights where he was voted their majority leader.
Matt Rosendale was elected our Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Montana State Auditor in 2016. He puts the people of Montana first by serving as a watchdog and protecting Montana’s securities and insurance. He is committed to putting Montanans back in charge of their own health care by increasing choices, removing hurdles that increase premiums, improving access to health care, and removing government from between patients and their doctors. As a member of the State Land Board, Rosendale also is one of five Montana elected officials responsible for the management of more than 5 million acres of state trust lands.
Before running for public office, Rosendale worked in real estate development and land management, where he built his small family business into a full-service firm. With his extensive background in managing various types of land, Rosendale brings unique skills and experience to the State Land Board, which generates millions of dollars to fund the Treasure State’s K–12 public education system through natural resource development and land management.
Sound like just a guy from Maryland? Someone who doesn’t care about our public lands? I don’t think so. We have entrusted our public lands to Matt. And just how many of you decided you loved this state enough to move from somewhere else? I know I did! What matters to me is that Matt has made his home here for many years and wants to make it a better place for me and you!