I’m a Montanan and believe that when Montanans come together we do better by one another.

We come together when people in our communities need a helping hand. We bring casseroles, throw benefits, mow their lawns, and drive them to their doctor’s appointment.

Montanans show up for one another when needed, regardless of who you are, where you come from or your political party. Taking care of our families, neighbors and communities is a Montana value.

It’s who we are. It’s who I am.

As the daughter of a truck driver and a waitress, I was raised in Eastern Montana, graduated from Shepherd High School and attended college at MSU Billings. Upon graduation, I started one of Montana’s first and largest internet service providers with family and friends.

When I first ran and was elected to the Legislature in 1998, I did it because I wanted to do my part to care for our families, neighbors, and communities. I wanted to make sure that our senior citizens had the care they deserved, our veterans were appreciated for the service they provided, and that moms and dads had good-paying jobs to give their children a bright future.

During my four terms in the Montana Legislature, I led the way to create the economic development trust fund and workforce training program that have helped create thousands of good-paying jobs in Montana. I also led the committees that reformed the funding of our public education system and created the definition of quality education.

In 2008, you elected me as your state auditor and commissioner of securities and insurance. I have made it my mission to protect consumers over the past eight years and have worked to return over $385 million to Montana families and business. As a member of the state Land Board, I also helped to generate over $750 million through responsible leasing of our oil, gas, coal and timber resources.

Now I want to be your next secretary of state.

Serving as your secretary of state would give me the opportunity to continue my work of taking care of our families, neighbors, and communities.

I believe that all Montanans’ voices matter and that every eligible person should have the opportunity and access to vote on Election Day. As your next secretary of state, I will work to modernize our election system while ensuring it is secure, fair and transparent.

I will work to cut red tape so small businesses can focus on growing our economy and creating jobs. I will continue my work on the state Land Board to help generate millions of dollars for education while also protecting our cherished public lands. As your next secretary of state, I will always do my part to grow Montana’s economy.

And as your secretary of state I will continue to show up for our families, neighbors, and communities. It’s a Montana value. It’s who we are. It’s who I am.

I would appreciate your vote on Nov. 8.

Lindeen, a Helena Democrat, is a candidate for Montana secretary of state. She is currently the Montana state auditor.