Knudsen Seizes Opportunity

In January, Malta's Casey James Knudsen announced he would run for Montana's 33rd House District Seat and though he has always been interested in politics, he never thought he'd be a candidate at this point in his life. 

"I always thought about running, but I always thought it would be later in life," Knudsen said. "But you have to take the opportunity when it presents itself. You never know when there will be another open seat."

The "open seat" Knudsen references came when Mike Lang, R-Malta, the current Montana HD 33 representative,  announced he had opted not to run for re-election. Instead Lang will make a bid for the State Senate seat held by John Brenden, R-Scobey, who is unable to run for re-election because of term limits.

Shortly after Rep. Lang made the announcement of his intention to run for the State Senate, Knudsen received a phone call from Daniel Zolinkov -- the Republican representing Billings House District 45 in the Montana Legislature -- and he asked Knudsen if he would be willing to run.

"He said they were looking for a good conservative in our district and asked if I would be interested," Knudsen said. "I decided I was." 

Knudsen graduated from Malta High School in 2009 -- where he was also senior class president -- before attending Montana State University in Bozeman. In 2014 he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology with a minor in aerospace engineering. After receiving his degree, Knudsen moved back to Malta and now works on the family ranch. He is currently in the process of starting an engineering-design and prototyping firm and is obtaining his real estate license.  Knudsen is a fifth generation Montanan whose family has always lived on the Hi-line.  After returning to his hometown, he became engaged to Shyla Gairrett (their wedding is set for this June.) He said he understands local issues and if he doesn't, he knows how to go about becoming educated on them. 

"I know the people, I know who to contact in our district if I have a question or don't understand an issue," he said, "and I am not trying to do this as a career. I am just trying to get in and help all I can while I can.  I think you have to be able to take the time you have and serve the community."

Knudsen said part of the reason he is running for office has to do with the "put up or shut up mantra." 

"I've always believed that you can't complain about something if you are not trying to change it," he said. "So, I figured, I'd try to change it. I'm not real happy with the status quo right now. I think they need some different ways of thinking."

Knudsen said he believes if people have the availability, time and capacity to serve in office, then they should. He intends to practice what he preaches.

"I think it is a responsibility that we all have as citizens," he added.

Knudsen said some of the bigger issues facing Montana and HD 33 are privacy – citing the goings on between Apple and the federal government – as well as public and private land rights involving Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and the Bureau of Land Management.

"They do a great job managing the animals, but it seems like they are trying to manage the land too much now," he said, "and they have almost no oversight. I disagree with government on oversight of individuals but government oversight in itself, there should be 10-different kill switches for every department so if anybody catches something going wrong, they should be able to just shut them down and put a stop to it."

Knudsen said Montana has a good education program in place, but added it could always be better. 

"Education tends to put people off, especially if you say you are 'pro-education'," he said. "Especially if you are running as a republican.  Educating someone is the best way to make their life better."

Knudsen is a member of the Phillips County Volunteer Fire Department, the Phillips County EMT and both the Stockgrowers Association -- where he also assists with the Stockgrowers Leadership Series --  and the Phillips County Farm Bureau.

Besides Knudsen, Michael Burns of Glasgow, also filed for the the HD 33 slot in October. As of yet, there have been no democrats to throw their hat in the ring for the seat.