Browder announces candidacy for HD92

SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake resident Tom Browder has announced his candidacy for Montana House District 92 on the Democratic ticket.

Tom grew up in western Montana where he enjoyed fishing, hunting and hiking from an early age. His deep appreciation for the Montana outdoors continued with six summers of seasonal work at the Seeley Lake Ranger Station.

Tom enlisted in the US Army in 1969 and served almost three years on the East German border during the height of the Cold War. After his military service, Tom owned a small business in Denver, Colo. for over 10 years. He then spent more than 20 years in management positions in the financial information and technology industries. Most recently, he was director of customer service for an educational technology company. He is confident that this background will provide expertise in Helena, as the Montana State Legislature addresses the increasingly complex challenges faced by all Montanans.

HD92 includes East Missoula, Bonner, Milltown, Clinton, Potomac, Seeley Lake and Condon. It has a diverse economy driven by tourism, timber, agriculture and small business.

Tom's campaign has five key priorities:

1) To help Montanans flourish in the next decade by supporting legislation to create and protect jobs throughout the District.

2) To ensure that our students have the full benefit of technology and the content required by today's global economy.

3) To make sure that health care is available, recognizing that the right care early on can reduce more complex and expensive procedures later.

4) To support programs that make development of affordable housing attractive both in rural and in-town areas.

5) To ensure that our public lands stay public and access to them remains open.

Tom's long experience has given him the ability to work with people in different industries, at different stages of life and in different parts of the country. He has a strong belief in negotiation and compromise and he puts this belief to work in his daily life. In Montana, our important legislative achievements are the products of bipartisan cooperation. Tom expects that his approach will continue to foster this spirit in the legislature.

Active in the Seeley Lake community, Tom serves as Secretary of the Seeley Lake Community Council, a member of the Board of Directors of the Seeley Lake Historical Society and President of the Double Arrow Ranch Landowners Association. He strongly believes that his lifelong connection with the western Montana outdoors, as well as his dedication to the values of our rural part of Missoula County, will make him an effective representative of all the residents of HD92.

Tom looks forward to your comments and questions. You can reach him at: Browder for HD92, PO Box 141, Seeley Lake MT 59868; 406-303-0770 or browderforhd92@gmail.com