MFBF Candidate Interviews

Montana Farm Bureau Federation 2020 Candidate Interviews

Montana Farm Bureau Federation has interviewed the candidates who will serve on the State Land Board. According to the State of Montana, “State trust lands are managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Trust Lands Management Division. Timber, surface, and mineral resources are managed for the benefit of the common schools and the other endowed institutions in Montana, under the direction of the State Board of Land Commissioners. The board consists of Montana’s five top elected officials.

The reason these land board positions are especially important is that some of our members have grazing leases on those state land sections which fund our land-grant universities. We need to elect people to these offices who understand how essential state lands are to agriculture.

Republican and Democratic Candidates running for Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor and State Superintendent of Public Instruction were interviewed by Montana Farm Bureau Federation.

All Candidates will be given the opportunity to answer the same three questions.
One unique question was asked to the candidates for each office.
Candidates had two minutes for an opening statement.
All Candidates had two minutes to answer each question.
Candidates were given one minute for any closing remarks.


Questions Asked to the Secretary of State Candidates
  1. What do you think the biggest issue facing agriculture is and how will you use your office to address and fix the problem?
  2. What do you see as the most important role for State Lands?
  3. What are your priorities for managing these lands?
  4. What improvements would you make to the business climate in relation to farmers and ranchers?

Questions Asked to the State Auditor Candidates :
  1. What do you think the biggest issue facing agriculture is and how will you use your office to address and fix the problem?
  2. What do you see as the most important role for State Lands?
  3. What are your priorities for managing these lands?
  4. How can you reduce costs for workers compensation for agricultural businesses?


Questions Asked to the Superintendent of Public instruction Candidates :
  1. What do you think the biggest issue facing agriculture is and how will you use your office to address and fix the problem?
  2. What do you see as the most important role for State Lands?
  3. What are your priorities for managing these lands?
  4. What do you see for the future of rural schools?


Questions Asked to the Attorney General Candidates :
  1. What do you think the biggest issue facing agriculture is and how will you use your office to address and fix the problem?
  2. What do you see as the most important role for State Lands?
  3. What are your priorities for managing these lands?
  4. In the last ten years, what is one federal rule that you would have engaged in with rural Montana in mind?


Questions Asked to Montana's Governor Candidates :
  1. What do you think the biggest issue facing agriculture is and how will you use your office to address and fix the problem?
  2. What do you see as the most important role for State Lands?
  3. What are your priorities for managing these lands?
  4. Would your administration be in favor of the continued purchasing of private land and converting it to public use?

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