Robinson named State Director for Gianforte's U.S. House Office

When Montana Congressman Greg Gianforte was sworn into office in Washington D.C. last Wednesday, Malta's Lesley Robinson was in attendance at the US House as she was recently named to the newly elected congressman cabinet.

"It was pretty exciting to be sitting up in the gallery yesterday when he was sworn in," Robinson said. "It was pretty awesome to be here to see it. It was neat and historic."

Robinson - who ran as lieutenant governor on the Republican ticket with Gianforte last November - was recently named Gianforte's State Director. Robinson said in her State Director position, she will oversee employees in the state of Montana and when the congressman is out of the state, she will also fill in for him.

"I am excited and I can't wait," she said. "I officially started last week."

Robinson was a Phillips County Commissioner for 14 years and gave up her position last year to run with Gianforte. She said

Robinson said she will do most of her work from inside the state of Montana and will only travel back east to D.C. once or twice per year.

"I'm going to be based right on the ranch here and do a lot of work from home, though I will travel around the state a bunch," she said. "That was one of the main reasons I accepted the position was because I could be based out of the home and be able to hear the local people. It seemed like a very good fit for me."

Robinson said that in the telecommuting aspect, Gianforte is the perfect boss as his first trips to Malta in 2014 and 2015 were made to promote working from home using computers and high-speed internet.

"He understands that you can make it work from home," she added.

Robinson said she never thought too much about where her political career would go after she and Gianforte lost last December, adding that when the time was right, the right opportunity would present itself.

"I didn't even know I would run for Lieutenant Governor," she said. "I just kind of let things happen and then decide if that is the direction I want to go. I put a lot of work into everything and that is why I get the opportunities that I have. The people are the most important thing to me and I told my husband (Jim) after we lost that I wasn't just going to take any job, but I want to take a job where I can make a difference and help people. This is that job."

When Gianforte and Robinson ran last November, one of their main goals was bringing better customer service to the people of Montana.

"And that is still my goal, to make sure that everyone is responded to," Robinson said. "It's very similar to being a county commissioner."

Robinson was in D.C. for three days last week attending meetings and returned to Phillips County on Thursday.