Knudsen files for re-election in HD 33

Montana State Rep. Casey Knudsen, R-Malta, knew all along that once his freshman session in the House was up that he was going to be filing for re-election as soon as we was able to.

"I was ready to go and that was always the plan," Rep. Knudsen told the PCN last week. "I figured I would get a lot of learning done that first time and know it is time to go hit some stuff and get some things done."

Knudsen, son of Malta's Jim and Janice Knudsen and a 2009 graduate of Malta High School, filed for reelection on opening day for candidates to do and as of Monday afternoon is running unopposed in both the Primary and General Elections. The Montana House holds elections every two years and Knudsen first won his seat in 2016.

Knudsen said should he win, there are several thing issues he wants to peruse in the next session including equal parenting laws and general business laws.

"The problem is that once the session is done, I can't do any bill drafting," Knudsen said. "Because I am technically not elected for that next session. A Montana Senator, like Mike Lang, can get bills drafted because he is still elected to the next term. It is hard to get any of these things nailed down until you get elected in November."

Knudsen, 27, earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology with a minor in aerospace engineering from Montana State University, is a rancher who works for his family in several local businesses and recently obtained his real estate license.

Knudsen said he believes there are enough politicians focusing on hot-button issues so he said he will focus on more personal freedom issues.

"I look forward to hopefully representing the people of HD 33 once again," he said.