Smith To Seek Re-election
Frank Smith has announced that he will seek re-election for the representative seat in House District 31.
Smith said the primary reason why he decided to run for the position is that he wants to have a Democrat represent the area.
Smith has served in Helena for 23 years, including eight years in the State Senate.
If re-elected, the Democrat says one of his goals is bringing money back for DUI programs at Fort Peck Community College and the college in Fort Belknap.
“It’s a good program and it had a good hearing in the committee last session,” Smith said.
Other priorities for Smith include protecting the buffalo and protecting tribal traditional heritage.
Smith said the last legislative session with a Republican-controlled House was frustrating at times, but he hopes for better results in future sessions.
“I’ve got to work a little bit more with Republicans, and I’m starting to do that now,” Smith said.
He feels sessions could be run more effectively. Smith said the amount of bills have increased from 2,000 to 3,000 per session and each bill costs taxpayers about $3,000.
“Even the bad bills cost that for taxpayers,” Smith said.
He hopes to improve economic development efforts by changing policies and reducing some restrictions.
Improvements have been made in health care and law enforcement, but more work is still needed, he said.
Smith believes the law enforcement academy should extend its training for a day to concentrate on drug enforcement. Smith also wants more border patrol at Montana’s northern border.
The first day to file for election is Thursday, Jan. 11. The primary election is scheduled for June 4 and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 5.
Last summer, Democrat Lance FourStar announced his intention to run for the Montana House District 31 position.
FourStar, who is currently a member of the Wolf Point City Council, served as the director for the American Indian Caucus during the last legislative session. FourStar’s experience includes being chair of the Wolf Point Community Organization and the Fort Peck Assiniboine Council.
