Jessica Dyrdahl

Jessica Dyrdahl served in the U.S. Army National Guard. She earned a high school diploma from the Montana Youth Challenge Academy. Her career experience includes working in advocacy and community engagement roles involving policy research, public communication, and direct interaction with government institutions.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Montana parent, advocate, and community member running for State Senate because too many systems that families rely on are no longer working as they should.

My background is shaped by lived experience. I have navigated public education, special education services, healthcare systems, and the courts as a parent, and I have seen firsthand how confusing rules, weak accountability, and disconnected decision-making can harm children and families.

I believe government works best when laws are clear, responsibilities are defined, and people are treated with dignity and fairness. Too often, families are left to fight systems that should be serving them, while those systems lack transparency and meaningful oversight.

I am running to focus on practical reforms that strengthen education, protect children and families, improve accountability in public institutions, and respect parental rights. My approach is grounded in listening, evidence, and responsibility, not ideology or political games.

Montana families deserve leadership that takes their concerns seriously and works to restore trust in the systems meant to serve them.

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?

Montana families deserve protection, respect, and a real voice. I will defend parental rights, strengthen laws that protect children, and ensure families are not harmed by confusing systems or unchecked government power. Parents should be partners in decisions affecting their children, not obstacles to be ignored.Every child learns differently, and families deserve real options. I support school choice and education freedom, including public, charter, private, homeschool, and cooperative learning. Education should focus on strong foundations in reading, writing, math, and critical thinking, with accountability at the system level, not placed on children or parents.Government should work for the people it serves. I support transparent decision-making, responsible spending, and clear accountability across public institutions. Laws should be written clearly, enforced fairly, and evaluated honestly so families are not left navigating broken systems without answers or support.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about policies that protect children, strengthen families, and restore accountability in public systems. My focus includes parental rights, education freedom, and ensuring schools serve students rather than bureaucracy. I care deeply about transparency and oversight in government, so families are not harmed by confusing rules, delayed services, or unchecked decision-making. I am also passionate about housing affordability, responsible taxation, and reducing unnecessary regulation so Montana families can afford to live and stay in their communities. My priorities are rooted in practical solutions, fairness, and restoring trust between citizens and the institutions meant to serve them.

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

I look up to people who lead with integrity, humility, and persistence, especially parents and community members who quietly step up when systems fail. I respect leaders who listen first, take responsibility for their decisions, and stay focused on the people they serve rather than politics or recognition.

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

The most important qualities for an elected official are integrity, accountability, and a willingness to listen. Public office should be about serving people, not protecting institutions or political interests. Leaders must be honest about what is working and what is not, open to evidence and feedback, and willing to take responsibility when systems fail. Respect for the rule of law, transparency in decision making, and treating people with dignity are essential to rebuilding trust between government and the communities it serves.

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

The core responsibility of a state legislator is to represent the people of their district and ensure that laws are clear, fair, and effective. That includes providing oversight of state agencies, asking hard questions when outcomes fall short, and making sure public resources are used responsibly. Legislators should focus on practical solutions, protect individual rights, and work to ensure that government systems serve families, not burden them with unnecessary complexity or confusion.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of restoring trust. I want people to know that I showed up, listened, and worked to make systems clearer, fairer, and more accountable. If families feel less alone navigating education, healthcare, or government because of my work, that is a legacy worth leaving.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Navigating complex systems that were supposed to support families has been one of my greatest challenges. Learning how to advocate effectively, stay grounded, and keep going when answers were unclear has shaped both my character and my commitment to reform.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Montana’s greatest challenges include restoring trust in public institutions, ensuring access to quality education and healthcare, and keeping communities affordable for working families. Rising housing costs, strained systems, and inconsistent outcomes are pushing people out of the state or forcing families to accept less than they deserve. Addressing these challenges will require accountability, thoughtful policy, and a commitment to putting people ahead of bureaucracy so Montana remains a place where families can thrive.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I am most proud of advocating for my children and helping them succeed despite navigating complex and often broken systems. Standing up, learning the rules, and pushing for better outcomes taught me resilience, patience, and responsibility, and it is what ultimately led me to public service.