Steve Gunderson

Steve Gunderson served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1978 to 1986. He earned a high school diploma from Libby High School. He is retired.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

69 years young, I have lived, worked and played in Libby, MT since 1969, graduating from Libby High School in 1975. I joined the Army NG in 1978. I married the love of my life, and my strongest constituent, Cherie Lawson in 1979 moving to Tioga ND to work in the Williston Basin/Bakken oilfield. I transferred to the ND Guard unit in Williston, attaining the rank of E-6 as a Combat Engineer. As a senior NCO my duties included Squad Leader and Company level trainer.

We returned to Libby to in 1983 to manage a new family business after the birth of Dustin where we have resided since. Our 2nd son, Jason, was born Libby. Our family was always active in school sports and the Scouting program. Proudly, both our boys attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Cherie and I have been members and business supporters of the NRA for many, many years. We both value and respect the 2nd Amendment. Cherie is retired and is a volunteer board member/treasurer for the Church of God and we both volunteer with LOVE Inc. My parents raised me to respect God, Country, Flag and my fellow man. My Christian and conservative values have been with me always. Libby and Montana will always be Home!

I was a citizen advocate for natural resource jobs for almost 20 years and running for the House was a natural extension of what I had been doing. I served 4 terms in the House, 1 as Vice Chair, then 2 as Chair of Natural Resources and one term Chair of inter Environmental Quality Council.

Experience Matters!!

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?

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! Lincoln County was once the most prosperous county in Montana. We must return to working and managing our forests and the land. We need to rebuild our local sawmill so we can return to producing products harvested from the forest. Rebuilding the mill means a return of some of those jobs we once held so dear. Rebuilding that infrastructure will require having representation in State government able to understand what is required to be put in place to make this happen. My knowledge and experience will be a great asset in making that come to fruition. I have built a toolbox of connections, relationships and understanding that no one else has. I have invested 8 years as the House Rep. building alliances at the Federal level.Jobs!! and new business!! Montana is the Treasure State. We need to return to the economy that built Montana. When jobs are produced there is a production of Income taxes. Prosperity leads to more businesses starting up and hiring more people. The return of mining will produce not only income and wealth but produce production taxes from producing more metals. Each family wage job we produce in the woods and at the sawmill or mine site will require ancillary support jobs. There is a proven 3 to 1 up to a 5 to 1 ratio of support service jobs required to make our natural resource economy flourish. Ensuring that property taxes do not force our seniors out of the homes they worked all their lives for is paramount.Tax and assessment reform are necessary to return our tax system to a fair and equitable process. We also need to ensure our basic services such as police, fire, road maintenance and solid waste departments are fully funded. We need to ensure these services are being supplied with the utmost and scrutiny and detail of how those services are being funded. Waste and fraud should always be in the forefront of any discussion about funding and budgets. We need to do more for less. I believe we need to form a State level DOGE within our Legislative Audit division. Each agency should undergo random audits to root out waste of funding. We need systematic accounting of funds in accounts that are flexible and able to be "raided".

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Natural Resource Policy

Environmental Stewardship Policy

Business and Labor Policy

Local Government Policy

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

Ronald Reagan on both counts. "I think the best possible social program is a job” is one of my most favorite quotes that continues to resonate with me.

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

Hard work, be present, stand for your morales and principles. Never "marry" a bill, be prepared to kill your own bill if it is amended into something never intended.

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

Do the work, be the best voice for your constituents you can be and learn as much as you can about the issues in front of you.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I was able to continue the service I started in 2017 in the House and amplify that service in the Senate in 2027. I want to return Senate District 1, NW Montana, to the prosperity I enjoyed and lived through as a young man growing up here.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked as a ranch/farmhand in the summer. I worked there for 3 summers.

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

Public Speaking

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Open communications and dialog. Working within the confines of reality.

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

Jobs, taxes, home affordability, Water rights, Forest management.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, but preserve the core of the bill. Do not allow a bill to be compromised for the sake of passing it.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

- Former MT State Legislator - Former US Congressman State of Montana, Matt Rosendale -

- MT GOP CGC -

- Chair Flathead County Republican Central Committee - Past MT State Legislator - Current Candidate US House Montana Western District 1,

Al Olszewski -

- Senate President and Past Speaker of the Montana House, Matt Regier -

- Flathead County Republican Central Committee -

- Former MT State Senator Steve Hinebauch -

- Former MT State Senator Dan Bartel -

- Montana Freedom Caucus PAC -

- Montanans for a Limited Government -

- Make Liberty Win PAC -

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

John F Kenedy assignation.

Steve Gunderson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Steve Gunderson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Steve Gunderson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1. To continue working toward re-building our local and state natural resource extractive economy. Montana was built by timber extraction, mining and agriculture. Out of state green obstructionists have waged a war on our natural resource extractive economy for decades. These groups cite "clean water" as their current battle cry and are pointing at a bygone era of past practices and neglect as if it were current policy. Current technologies, practices of mining companies and reclamation bonding requirements by our outstanding State environmental laws allow Montana Department of Environmental Quality will ensure mining is accomplished safely, sensible and environmentally responsible. We need to reduce outside influences on our economy using the guise of "protecting" our environment.

2. To continue to reduce the size of government. We need to reduce the size of government and it's impacts on our citizens. We need to continue cleanup of our Montana Code Annotated to reduce redundancy and to clarify our laws.

3. We need to reduce taxes and the impacts on our citizens. We need to increase our natural resource extractive tax base to put more money into our economy and to offset personal property and personal income taxes.[9][10]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

The area of Public Policy that I am personally passionate about is Montana's Natural Resources. The district I represent is rich in timber and mining resources on public lands which are underutilized due to outside forces attempting to lock out industry and the citizens of Montana from reaping the benefits of our renewable bounty and mining resources. Our State economy languishes yet we cannot touch the many Treasures of Montana. I'm passionate about Natural Resources because they were once the staple of our economy but outside forces have stopped us from benefitting from them. I'm passionate about bringing back our once hearty and vibrant economy and reduce the greatest export we have today: our youth.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[10]

[the profile publisher] also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Steve Gunderson answered the following:

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

My most valuable mentor from my Freshman session was Rep. Kelly Flynn of Townsend, Montana. Kelly was (last session) a 4th term Representative and is as passionate about Montana's natural resources as I am. Kelly was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer yet he endured a grueling special session with the grace and poise that mirrored his philosophy of life "You live for today, you plan for tomorrow, you remember yesterday." Kelly spent many hours explaining concepts that I did not understand and gave me a much different outlook on life. I am honored to call him Friend and fellow Legislator.[10]

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

Learning quickly and on the fly. To be a listener when needed and to speak when appropriate.[10]

What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?

My current experience as a Legislator. I have found I can be a problem solver as well as an advocate for my constituents when they have problems with a Montana State Agency.[10]

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of bringing back jobs and a healthy economy to the district I represent.[10]

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I am torn between two philosophies about experienced Legislators. On one hand new and inexperienced Legislators can bring a totally new viewpoint to the table to discuss options to a bill or a problem. On the other hand experience cannot be overlooked when working with highly sensitive issues where finesse and experience are a very sought after attribute.[10]

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

Our greatest challenge will be the continued onslaught of constant litigation brought by the green obstructionists movement. Our economy will continue to suffer until we can break free from this stranglehold.[10]

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The ideal relationship between a governor and the Legislature is for both to be on equal footing with the citizens welfare of the State foremost in any bill or law passed or any bill or law killed in the process.[10]

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

As a member of Natural Resources, I could bring my many years experience as a citizen advocate for mining and natural resource extractive industries.

As a member of Local Government and Business and Labor, I brought 30+ years experienced as a self motivated businessman experienced in working with employees and the public.[10]

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

I was not a part of leadership in my Freshman session (65th Montana Legislature) but in my Sophomore session (66th) I plan to run for one of the Majority Whip positions. I feel it is an obligation of each experienced Legislator to mentor and pass as much greatly needed experience and information to freshman so as to bring the new folks up to speed as soon as possible and to make sure each legislator can be the most effective they can be, as quickly as they can. The job of a Montana Citizen Legislator is not the easiest as there is a steep learning curve due to condensing a 2 year process into 90 legislative days. The citizen Legislator has an experience somewhat akin to "drinking from a fire hose" to absorb the information required to make a good legislator.[10]