Christi Jacobsen

Christi Jacobsen was born in Helena, Montana. Jacobsen graduated from Capital High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Carroll College in 1997, an M.D. from the University of Montana in 2000, and an M.P.A. from the University of Montana. Jacobsen's career experience includes working in the telecom industry, as a government administrator, and as the Montana Deputy Secretary of State.[1][2][3]

Christi Jacobsen did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a fourth generation Montana born and raised in Helena. I graduated from Capital High, Carroll College and earned a Master’s degree from University of MT. My husband was an All American quarterback for MT Tech and is a petroleum engineer. We raised our kids in Montana (4 engineers and 1 attorney). After starting my career in the telecom industry and serving in multiple leadership positions in the executive branch before being appointed as the Deputy Secretary of State. With proven track record I won in a six way primary and won the general election by the largest margin of any statewide candidate. I am a national leader by taking on the Washington liberal Machine to fight for common sense voter ID laws, at the same time, I led invigorated free enterprise principles by eliminating and cutting fees in half for businesses resulting in record number of new businesses. In addition to serving with heart and character, I love running marathons, mountain trails, and enjoying fly fishing Montana’s clear waters.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Voter integrityFree enterpriseLimited government

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Liberty

Free enterprise

Secure elections

Less government

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Government starts at the ballot box, we are committed to fighting for free and fair elections in MT , with a free enterprise, pro business climate.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My Mom and Dad

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Although there are many works that influence me, politically, individually, and as a leader, I’m guided by the Bible.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should have integrity, a servant’s heart, and courage.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To protect the integrity of elections, be asset to businesses, preserve history, serve on the land board for school and access.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Upholding the US and MT Constitutions.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes- tremendous

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Government should be limited to allow the economy to thrive. I’ve led this effort with full transparency.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

Although I honor Montana history there is always room for improvement.

Christi Jacobsen did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Bennett’s campaign website stated the following:

Supporting Main Street Businesses

Bryce was recognized by the Montana Chamber of Commerce for his record of working with Main Street. As Secretary of State, Bryce will cut red tape and bureaucracy and bring small businesses and entrepreneurs to the table to make sure government is responsive to Main Street and listens to the needs of Montana’s job creators.

Bryce’s Leadership:

Bryce will cut government bureaucracy by making the Secretary of State’s office a one-stop-shop for small business owners so they have a clear roadmap of each step they will need to take to get their business up and thriving.

Bryce knows that every moment a business owner spends filling out government forms is time they lose for their business and putting food on their family’s table.

Bryce will create a business council so business leaders always have a seat at the table

Bryce will meet Montanans where they are by allowing for electronic and paper filings - not turning away folks in rural Montana who can’t register electronically

Bryce will use the office’s contact information to help get businesses the tools and information they need to succeed, not more political grandstanding.

Battling Dark Money

When special interest dark money groups came into Montana to try and buy our elections, Bryce worked with Republicans and Democrats and led the charge to pass the nation’s leading anti-dark money law, to ensure the only voice that matters on Election Day is Montana voters.

Bryce’s Leadership:

Bryce was a leader in passing the Disclose Act which pulled dark money groups out of the shadows and required that every penny spent in our elections is transparent and accountable to Montana voters.

Bryce is endorsed by End Citizens United, a group dedicated to keeping special interest money out of our elections.

Bryce believes that dark money not only corrupts our elections, but also harms the integrity of democracy by making Montanans doubt their voice matters.

Protecting Access to our Public Lands

Bryce has a long history of protecting access to Montanas public lands. Throughout his career he has fought the special interests who want to transfer our public lands to state ownership or sell them off to the highest bidder. Bryce grew up swimming in Flathead Lake and hiking up Pompey’s Pillar and will always ensure we keep our public lands in public hands.

Bryce’s Leadership:

Bryce worked with Republicans and Democrats to push legislation that would put heavy fines on out-of-staters who put up gates and barbed wire to try to block our public access.

Bryce is endorsed by the Montana Sportsmen's Alliance because he is the only candidate in this race that will protect access for hunters and anglers.

Bryce will be an advocate for public access on the Land Board and will bring private landowners to the table to ensure we can open up more areas to hike, hunt, fish, and explore.

Bipartisan Leadership

Bryce Bennett has worked with Republicans and Democrats to get things done. Whether it was protecting healthcare for over 90,000 Montanans, passing the nations strongest anti-dark money legislation, or protecting your private data as a founder of the bipartisan Privacy Caucus, Bryce always puts Montana’s ahead of partisan politics.

Bryce’s Leadership:

Bryce worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass Medicaid expansion in 2015 and protect it from expiring in 2019. This work ensured over 90,000 Montanans could keep their healthcare and kept our rural hospitals open.

Bryce was a leader in passing the Disclose Act which pulled dark money groups out of the shadows and required that every penny spent in our elections is transparent and accountable to Montana voters.

Bryce was a co-founder of the Montana Privacy Caucus - a bipartisan group of legislators who have successfully passed bills to defend your private data from government or corporate overreach.

Bryce has reached across the aisle to secure millions of dollars of funding to fix roads and bridges, support our schools, and repair vital water systems.

A Strong, Secure Democracy

The Secretary of State is the defender of our democracy. Bryce has passed bipartisan bill after bipartisan bill to make sure our elections are more secure, accessible, and stronger than ever before. From fixing our broken vote by mail system to making sure rural Montanans had a say in Montana’s future, Bryce will always make sure that every voice is heard and every vote is counted.

Bryce’s Leadership:

Bryce passed legislation to ensure folks from rural Montana no longer had to travel hundreds of miles just to drop off a ballot.

When our broken election system was hemorrhaging voters off the vote by mail list after each election, Bryce came up with a solution that got fixed the problem and got ballots into the hands of 72,000 Montana voters who would have been left out.

Bryce got his start registering voters in knee deep snow and pouring rain to help ensure everyone has a say in Montana’s future. He registered Republicans, Democrats, and Independents - party didn’t matter - because he believed then as he does now that all Montanans deserve to have their voices heard on Election Day.

Bryce has fought the out of touch politicians pushing a voter suppression agenda that want to silence your ability to have a say in Montana’s future.[4]

—Bryce Bennett’s campaign website (2020)[5]