HD 17 needs leader who will put community first

By Susan Geise

Published in the Helena Independent Record

February 17, 2026

I am excited and honored to announce that I am running as a Republican to represent Montana House District 17.

After more than 30 years of public service, including as Lewis and Clark County commissioner, I’ve realized that I’m not done yet. Montana is changing, and those of us who live along the Eastern Front are facing tough times. Navigating these changes and challenges requires a leader who is strong and unafraid to face them head-on. I’ve been characterized as being “tougher than a boot,” and I take that as high praise. Another phrase I’ve heard used to describe me is “independent as a hog on ice.” That’s not a pretty picture, but you get the point: House District 17 needs a leader who will put our communities first, not party bosses and special interests.

Tested, tried, and true accurately describes my over 30 years of public service. I’ve been a legislator, a policy advisor, a school board member, and most recently a Lewis and Clark County commissioner. I have the broad experience necessary to lead us forward with a steady hand, eyes wide open and believing deeply in our ability to weather any storm. Rural Montanans have proven time and again that the best way forward is to pull together when the chips are down. Maybe it’s the strong wind from the Front that makes us so hardy, or perhaps our heritage of unshakeable faith in providence makes us so determined.

Whatever the reason, the steadfast and hardworking people of House District 17 deserve a representative who has the temperament and experience to lead us forward, putting their constituents' interests above the demands of party bosses.

I’m looking forward to talking with voters about the most critical problems facing our communities and the ideas we can bring to Helena together to solve them. But the citizens of House District 17 should know that they now have an optimistic, seasoned Republican leader in the race.

I’m that Republican, and I’ll see you on the campaign trail.