Why I'm Running

Since first falling in love with Montana 40 years ago, I knew that I wanted to make a life here. When we started our high tech company RightNow Technologies here in Montana, we had a lot of people tell us it wouldn’t work. People said, “Greg, you can’t start a global technology business in Montana.” Not only did we ended up creating over a thousand jobs, giving folks in places like Bozeman an average salary nearing $90,000 per year, I was also able to raise all 4 of my kids here.   

Fast forward to a few months ago.  We know that there are Montanans working all over the world who can literally work from anywhere, thanks to the Internet.  So, we decided to mail out an invitation to thousands of Montana graduates.  Talk to your boss.  Come home.  And bring your job with you. 

Well, I was in Butte, Montana.  And this nice lady, named Sue, comes out of nowhere and tells me that her daughter was living in Seattle and got one of those brochures.  Sue’s daughter came home to Montana.  And the naysayers told us it couldn’t happen. 

When I first started considering a run for Governor of Montana, we heard from the same naysayers.  Montana is 49th in the nation in wages, and there’s nothing you can do about it.  But we proved in Bozeman that we can make a difference Right Now.  In 2014, 40 percent of all wage growth in Montana came from Gallatin County, and not just from tech jobs. 

Before I first started exploring a run for governor, Montana seemed to be doing pretty well economically.  We were riding a wave.  Recent years saw strong cattle and grain prices, a boom in the Bakken, and a resurgence of construction jobs as a result.  But even still, we were 49th in the nation in wages.  We can do better for Montana. 

Now, not only are we 49th in the nation in wages, but there are significant storm clouds on the horizon, not to mention the storms that have already battered Montana. Layoffs are occurring in the Bakken and in the mining and railroad industries.  More than 500 Montana timber jobs were lost in the past year alone.  And recently, nearly 100 Crow tribal members were furloughed because of the assault on our coal industry.  The Bullock administration is only making these issues more difficult, and yet, at the same time, they try to tell everyone how great everything is.   

The reality is this: Montana was 49th in the nation in wages before commodities prices dropped.  We needed a high wage job creator running this state even in the midst of the commodities boom.  And, with the Obama Administration assaulting our natural resources industries, we need a high wage job creator now more than ever.

We also need to prepare our young people for the good paying jobs of the future.  We have great schools, and even greater teachers, but we can do more --- especially for our rural communities.  For example, Montana needs computer science in every high school.  That’s why I helped start a program called CodeMontana, to prepare more Montana students for a career in technology, because if we don’t teach our kids how to author technology --- they won’t be in control of their future.

We also need more education in trades, because not everybody needs a 4-year degree to succeed.

I’ve decided to run for governor because I’ve had enough of these politicians who are more worried about their job than your job.  I’ve had enough of these political insiders whose policies are driving our kids outside the state for jobs.  I’ve had enough of these pessimists who say we have to settle for being at the bottom for wages. 

I’ve decided to run for governor because I’ve already proved the naysayers wrong. I’m rejecting special interest PAC money.  I’m tearing up their checks.  And, when I’m elected as your governor, I’m donating my salary to charity. 

I am convinced that Montana, with its rugged beauty, abundant natural resources, and hard-working people is uniquely positioned to prosper in the 21st century. What the state needs now is leadership in Helena that sees this potential and will work for a better future for all Montanans.

Greg Gianforte is a candidate for governor of Montana. He is the founder of RightNow Technologies in Bozeman. He recently toured the state as part of his “Better Montana Jobs” initiative.