by Michele Binkley
On February 17, I officially filed as a Republican candidate for House District 85. After representing HD 85 for four years in the legislature, I realized our community still needs leaders who are a voice for the people of Ravalli County, not party bosses and special interests. That’s why I’m stepping up to run again to serve the constituents of HD 85.
As a life-long Republican and conservative, I believe first and foremost in limited government and that individual rights should be protected. Sadly, we’ve seen many of our Republican leaders become beholden to party bosses and out-of-state dark money groups, pledging their loyalty to a party platform, not the Constitution. This is not the Republican Party I know and love. If elected, I will always vote to protect your rights and freedoms and stand up to those whose loyalty is to a political party, not their constituents.
Our community is growing, and that growth has created new challenges for Ravalli County families. Starter homes are no longer affordable for our children who, like my two grown sons, have left for somewhere they can afford a mortgage. Unlike my predecessor, who wants to overturn the property tax relief that over 80% of Montana homeowners benefited from, I will fight for every opportunity to lower your taxes, strengthen our economy, and make our community more affordable.
I’m also an advocate for giving families more choice in how they educate their children. Ensuring families have the final say in where their kids go to school and how they learn is my top priority. I will also work to expand access to vocational training and apprenticeship programs to create more opportunities for kids who aren’t going to college.
Finally, I’ve had the honor of serving on the state’s Mental Health Commission. Mental health challenges touch every Montana family, and we need to find ways to make sure those struggling can get the help they need. This starts with ensuring our rural hospitals and clinics like Bitterroot Health can stay open. I will always vote to support our rural hospitals and ensure you have access to the care you need right here at home.
My guiding principles have always been and will continue to be freedom and prosperity for our community. As your Representative, I pledge to be your voice for a stronger, more affordable Ravalli County. It would be an honor to earn your vote this June, and I will always put you – my constituents – first.
hsabin says
GO MICHELE!! You were a fabulous representative for Corvallis and the vets in the valley. You support them, honor them and had breakfast with them often to hear their problems and concerns. I hope that Bitterrooters once again re-elect you as you work for them – NOT the GOP or the party bosses or the caucuses and factions that are running the GOP currently.
I was delighted to hear that you would NOT return the party purity pledge that the slug Wittich demanded when he was elected as head of the GOP – and I wonder why your former opponent Kathy Love did and sent the GOP Three thousand three hundred dollars for? And from where did that huge amount of money come from and for what? At least we dont have to worry about you – we know you are honest, forthright, filled with integrity and I wish you luck. I will support you financially too and ask other Bitterrooters to do so.
hsabin says
Michele – this is great news. I know you are a true constitutionalist, conservative and competent legislator as shown by your voting record, being selected as the Montana Representative to a special legislative training opportunity in Colorado where legislators from all over the country came to participate, and by the respect that your fellow legislators have for you. I am going to support you financially as it is expensive to run today and encourage others who want a legislator with character, integrity, and honesty as their representative for 2027 to do the same. It will be nice to have a legislator who doesn’t lie, doesn’t tear down the opposition, and who legislates with the needs of the constituents in mind. Thanks for stepping up!!
Bill Campbell says
BRAVO!