Montana Public Radio is gathering information on all statewide primary candidates to publish as a resource for our audience. We asked all the statewide candidates to respond to the following questions via email, limiting their answers to 300 words per question. These are their unedited responses.
Secretary of State candidate Forrest Mandeville:
What is your full name as it will appear on ballots?
Forrest J. Mandeville
What is your age?
36
Where do you live?
Columbus, MT
What is your education background?
Master Public Administration, Montana State University – Billings (2013); BA Political Science Point Loma Nazarene University (2006); Columbus High School (2002)
What is your current occupation?
Land Use Planning Consultant, self employed
Why are you running for this particular public office?
Plain and simple, I am running to serve the people of Montana in Helena. We need new, conservative Republican leadership in Helena. We need leaders that aren’t afraid to challenge traditions and aren’t afraid to make waves with the old guard establishment. I am the only candidate with both the legislative experience and the professional background to effectively protect your voting rights while being an effective servant in the Secretary of State’s Office.
What makes you qualified to hold this position?
I have served in the Montana State House since 2015, and have chaired the House State Administration Committee the past two legislative sessions. This is the committee that hears election law bills, putting me on the on the front line fighting to protect the rights of Montana voters. I am a small businessman and understand the challenges small businesses face. This makes me uniquely suited among the candidates for this office when it comes to providing business services through the Secretary of State’s Office. I also have experience in land development, which will be an advantage serving on the land board.
What are three policy issues that distinguish you from your opponent(s)?
I am the only candidate that has developed a comprehensive plan to ensure the integrity and security of our elections. My Election Security Plan (available on my website MandevilleforMontana.com) calls for an end to same-day voter registration, a stronger voter ID requirement, and protecting the right to vote in person at an accessible polling place. I am the only candidate currently supporting my family with a small business. I understand the challenges of operating a small business in today’s environment and am uniquely suited to work with our State’s businesses. I am also the only person running with hands-on experience in land use and development, which sets me apart from other candidates as an individual ready to step into a leadership position on the Land Board.
What are the greatest issues facing Montana that have gone unsolved by elected officials and how would you address them?
The next Secretary of State will immediately need to address election issues, particularly relating to the implementation of a new statewide voter database, the continued updating of obsolete voting equipment such as tabulators and accessible voting machines, and working to maintain confidence in the security and integrity of our elections. I will coordinate with local Clerks and Recorders as we implement the new database to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. I will also work with local officials as money becomes available to update or replace old voting machines. Finally, I will support rolling back same-day voter registration, work to implement stronger voter ID laws, and support in-person polling place elections whenever possible in order to maintain confidence in our secure election processes.
