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.
U.S. House candidate Kathleen Williams:
What is your full name as it will appear on ballots?
Kathleen Williams
What is your age?
59
Where do you live?
Gallatin County
What is your education background?
Cal, BS in Political Economy of Natural Resources; Colorado State University, MS in Recreation Resources
What is your current occupation?
Former Associate Director, Western Landowners Alliance; Former State Representative
Why are you running for this particular public office?
Now - more than ever - Montanans need a true, independent voice in Congress. Someone who will work with people of all political stripes to get things done for Montana, not for special interests.
What makes you qualified to hold this position?
I’m a 3-term State Representative with a nearly four-decade career in natural resources and conservation with a specialty in water. I’m ready to go to Congress and work with people of all political stripes, just like I’ve done my whole career, to get things done for Montanans.
What are three policy issues that distinguish you from your opponent(s)?
Unlike the likely Republican nominee, I believe that we need to fix our healthcare system - not decimate it - so that people have access to quality and affordable healthcare, advance campaign finance reform, and protect our public lands so they stay in public hands.
What are the greatest issues facing Montana that have gone unsolved by elected officials and how would you address them?
In light of COVID-19, it’s clear that healthcare and our economy are two of the most important issues now facing us. Everyone deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare. That starts with keeping protections in the ACA, allowing those 55 and older to buy into Medicare, and allowing Medicare to bargain for prescription drug prices. I’ll protect Medicare and Medicaid, ensure rural care availability and improve services in Indian Country and for veterans.
I was elected to the Legislature just after the Great Recession and got to work rebuilding and diversifying our economy. One bill cut red tape and created over 200 new businesses. I’m committed to economic vitality across all Montana, including our agricultural sector. We need to ensure monetary relief goes to those who need it most and that we rebuild our economy for the demands and opportunities of the future.
