women in montana politics

Ladies: On Your Marks, Get Set, Run

By Dana Green, 4-05-06

	At 26, political newcomer Michele Reinhart is hoping to become the youngest woman in the Montana State Legislature.

Lobbyist Michele Reinhart was peering down at the gallery at the Montana Legislature during a key vote.

Reinhart suddenly realized she was counting bald heads – 40 of them in all, shining up at her.

Reinhart doesn’t have anything against bald guys, she’s quick to note. But the pivotal moment made her keenly aware of how few women were in Helena – making the laws that would affect Montanans for years to come.

With some quick math, Reinhart counted 7 women out of 50 senators – and 27 out of 100 in the House – not very encouraging numbers.

“I realized the Legislature is not representative of the general population,” Reinhart said. “We are half of the state – and those who show up make the decisions.”

Reinhart, 26, had three legislative sessions under her belt as a field organizer and lobbyist for Northern Plains Resource Council, a Billings grassroots environmental organization. She had successfully lobbied for state laws that required food to have Country-of-Origin labeling, and set renewable energy standards for utility companies. She knew how to work with both parties to get legislation out the door.

But she is also only 26 – a full-time student at the University of Montana, getting a certificate in environmental mediation through the law school and environmental studies program. With bills and student loans to pay, and not much spare time on her hands.

Despite the challenges, she went ahead and filed for office in House District 97, a rural area just west of Missoula city limits.

“There’s never a good time,” Reinhart said. “But I wanted to set an example that anyone can do this. It’s a citizen Legislature, and it’s an important time for women to have representation.”

The problem is most young women don’t visualize themselves getting involved in politics, Reinhart believes.

“They’re not encourage to run or they don’t think they can,” she said. “They self-select themselves out of the process. Men just do it.”

She found mentors, two women incumbents in the House, to ask for advice and help. She agrees that women new to politics need to turn to older women who have been there and know the ropes.

“(Campaigning) is a lot of work,” she said. “You need to know who to ask for help.”

Last Saturday, in the pouring rain, Reinhart spent her free day going door to door in her constituents’ neighborhood. She asked questions, listened to their concerns, and explained her background. Campaigning – and touting her own skills and political background – doesn’t come naturally, she admits.

“It’s harder for women than for men to sell themselves,” she said. “I had a friend tell me I’d be a great legislator – but not a good campaigner.”

Still, Reinhart is prepared to work harder to prove herself to the voters. If she succeeds, she would like to help mentor other women and create training opportunities for them to enter the political arena.

Reinhart would like to see other young women file for office in Montana – and try their hand at running the state in Helena.

“Big business has their lobbyists there in (Helena) on a daily basis,” Reinhart said. “Citizens need to do the same. They need representatives who will stand up for the people and their concerns. It is a busy and difficult time in our lives – but it is a critical time for women to have representation.”

Michele Reinhart can be reached at michelereinhart@gmail.com. She is running as a Democrat for House District 97.

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