Meet Montana House District 2 candidate Tom Jenkins

Name: Tom Jenkins

Age: 77

Family: Cathy Ann and I have six daughters and many decedents.

Occupation, current and previous: I am a retired business owner. I operated and owned Jenkins Motors GMC and Buick dealership for many years in Libby.

Community involvement: I am a member of Libby’s Republican Club, Masons and the Shrine and sponsored children to the crippled children hospital in Spokane. I have been active in Rotary member and their fundraisers. I am a client of CARD and we actively support the continuance of the clinic. I was a member of the Montana National Guard and support the proposition that they should NOT be activated for overseas duty unless there is a declared World War.

Why are you running for public office?

I am running for House District 2 which is newly created. It now stretches from Libby to Marion in Flathead County. Although I will represent all of HD2, Libby and Lincoln County is the powerhouse of HD2. The Flathead area is an attachment of Lincoln County not the reverse. I am endorsed by Senator Mike Cuffe and Governor Gianforte. As our Governor Gianforte wrote to me: “We look forward to working alongside you to cut taxes so Montanans can keep more of what they earn, reform our property tax system and rein in property taxes, support law enforcement, make families stronger, support apprenticeships and trades education, fund our public schools, and improve education for our kids and grandchildren.” And I approve that message!

How would you have handled the situation involving Senate Bill 442?

The bill involves the distribution of marijuana tax money to the counties. I would never have voted for adjournment while the bill was in process. Bill 442 was good GOP legislation that was in process. I hope a special session will be called to act on a similar or identical bill to get money to the counties.

Do you feel the county’s problems with elections in the last several years are about integrity or human error?

After the last general election I became concerned about election integrity. I did something. I became an election judge. I participated in a hand count of ballots. I know they can be counted accurately and efficiently. I am supportive of election photo ID. And although I recognize the needs for mail-in voting the response from traditional voters was heartwarming one person said “I feel like a patriotic American now.”

The county has received $12 million in Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency funds in the last two fiscal years. What do you think the county should use the money for?

Local Consistency and Tribal Funds are part of the commissioner’s task in budgeting. I believe they will pick the best priorities. I look forward to working with them where I can. Legislators have no control over county expenditures.