Lindeen to Run for Mont. State Auditor

Former congressional candidate Monica Lindeen has announced she is running for Montana state auditor in 2008.

Lindeen, 44, was the Democratic nominee last year for Montana’s sole U.S. House seat and lost to Republican incumbent Denny Rehberg.

Lindeen is the first person to announce candidacy for state auditor, a position that oversees the insurance and securities industries in Montana. Term limits prevent Auditor John Morrison, a Democrat, from seeking re-election.

“If you are going to be successful, you have to start early,” Lindeen said during the weekend. “There will be competition for funds.”

The campaign for auditor will be about the availability and affordability of health insurance and care, Lindeen told The Billings Gazette.

“During my travels across this state over the past few years, Montanans have told me their stories — often horror stories — about how health care has been priced out of their reach,” she said. “As state auditor, I will work overtime to find commonsense solutions to ensure Montanans have access to affordable, quality health care.”

Lindeen, who founded an Internet service business, said her experience as an entrepreneur would be useful in protecting consumers from fraud.

“I am committed to the serious issues of public policy, and the auditor’s office gives the opportunity to bring people together to solve problems,” she said.

Lindeen, of Huntley, was first elected to the Montana House in 1998 and served four terms. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Montana State University-Billings.

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Information from: Billings Gazette,
http://www.billingsgazette.com