Brady Christensen says he is running for the Lewis and Clark County Commission to be a “good listener” – to make sure everyone’s perspective is heard and help county leaders craft good solutions.
“Just working with different groups of people, bringing different ideas together, finding a fair, equitable solution – and then presenting that and getting feedback and listening to that feedback, to really come up with what helps everybody the best,” he said.
This is Christensen’s first time running for elective office. He currently works for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, as a manager with the Materials Management Program. The program oversees recycling programs, including disposal and recycling of motor vehicles.
Prior to joining DEQ, Christensen worked as a utility subcontractor. He says that mix of public- and private-sector experience would be an asset on the commission.
Christensen says the biggest issue facing Lewis and Clark County now is zoning. He says he supports the current commissioners moving forward with implementing new regulations in the Valley, but that they need to try to find a way to do it that’s fair for all sides.
“Growth throughout the county, it’s going to continue,” said Christensen. “I think planning for that growth now is a smart and responsible decision, so I am in favor of the zoning, but I just hope that the commission really listens to people that are for and against this.”
He praised the commissioners’ work on other issues, saying they have generally done a good job of providing services and spending taxpayer money wisely.
Christensen is one of four candidates running for an open seat on the Lewis and Clark County Commission. Incumbent Commissioner Susan Good Geise is not running for another term.
You can watch MTN’s full interview with Christensen above. Interviews with the other candidates are available here .
Primary ballots will be mailed to Lewis and Clark County voters May 8, and they must be returned by June 2. This will be the first time that all county commission candidates are running in a single, nonpartisan primary. The top two finishers will move on to the general election in November.
