Four face off in Montana Senate District 16 Democratic primary: Bridget Smith

In the race for Montana Senate District 16 that runs from Chouteau to Roosevelt counties and includes parts of Rocky Boy's, Fort Belknap and Fort Peck Indian reservations, Rep. Bridget Smith, who cannot run re-election to the House due to term limits, and faces Michael D. Fox of Hays Kristopher FourStar of Wolf Point and Jestin Dupree of Poplar in the Democratic primary.

FourStar did not respond to requests for an interview.

No candidates from other parties have filed in the race and the winner of the primary is likely to be unopposed in the general election.

Smith said her experience will help her continue her work in the Legislature.

"I have been state representative for eight years, House 31, and I have learned how to operate now in Helena, and so I would like the opportunity to go back and continue with some of the connections for eastern Montana," Smith said.

She said what makes her the best candidate is she has a good-working relationship with her neighborhood and the Fort Peck Tribes, she has ranched, farmed and been in social services.

"So I have an in-depth knowledge of problems that we have in eastern Montana," she added. "I do believe we are Montana strong, and we will prevail and come out this virus with a positive future."

She said in her biographical information she grew up working on her grandmother's ranch in North Dakota each summer, and working for a rodeo company, Golden State Rodeo Co., that is what first brought her to Montana. She was hired by trick roper Montie Montana when he saw her in the Cow Palace in San Francisco, and first came ot Wolf Point when he worked the Wolf Point Stampede in 1973 and 1975, and she stayed.

She worked several jobs that grounded her for community service, Smith said, a substitute school teacher, Catholic youth minister, a licensing coordinator in a mental health agency and a social worker.

While she has never served in the military, several of her family members including her father, brother and spouse have, giving her an understanding of the place of the military in society.

Smith said she believes the state has handled the COVID-19 crisis  very well, which is evident by the low COVID-19 numbers.

She said she is pleased by her local schools deciding to stay closed and to continue online classes, she said, adding that because the state is so rural it can operate a little differently than New York City, she said.

She said COVID-19 is going to cause a big problem for the state of Montana because revenues are likely to be lower - with the oil prices where they are, coal and ranchers are in trouble.

"So, the revenue stream will have to be examined with a new light," Smith said.

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Born 1951, Glendale, California

Two years Pierce Agricultural College where she was elected student senator, Woodland Hills, Calif.; bachelor’s in community studies, Native American Educational Service College, 1997

Spouse, Richard DeCelles, two sons, four grandchildren

Work experience in ranching, rodeo production, substitute school teacher, Catholic youth minister, a licensing coordinator in mental health agency, social worker

Military: I was not in the military, but my father was a field commissioned first lieutenant in WWII, stationed in the Marshal Islands.  My brother served in Vietnam, victim of Agent Orange. During the Vietnam era, Richard DeCelles served in the Air Force. I’ve always understood the place for the military in our society.

Served as election judge, chair and vice chair Democratic Central Committee

Montana state representative 2013-present