HD 93 candidates share backgrounds
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LAKE COUNTY – Two candidates are on the election ballot for House District 93 scheduled for the June 7 election.
Johanna Clark is a reported Republican. She grew up in Montana and has lived in Lake County for 17 years. She is currently the executive manager for the Flathead Joint Board of Control.
“Through the FJBC, I have been working diligently for the citizens of our valley and agriculture for the past four years,” she said.
Clark utilizes ranching as a way to make a living for her family, and military service is important to her family.
“I am a third generation veteran of the U.S. Army and a first generation rancher,” she said. “My husband and I have built our agricultural business from the ground up.”
Clark has hopes that at least one of her children might continue in agriculture, but she says that the current government has made it difficult to continue in those endeavors.
“We have four children that we hope … one day, through all of our efforts, both privately and politically, will be given the option to continue what brings us so much satisfaction,” she said.
She says that her experience comes from hard work.
“There is no polish in my experience,” she said. “I am just like the rest of our community … a hands-in-the-dirt Montana and American citizen that believes we as a society have strayed from what once made our country and people great.”
She hopes to make a difference in her district.
“Today, I have decided to be part of the solution to our long list of issues and with the help of the voters with the same character and value system, I believe we can get that done,” she said. “We can no longer wait, believing that the next person will fight for what is right, what is constitutional. The responsibility falls on each of us to defend not only our state but each other.”
John Fleming is running as a democrat. He was born and raised in the Mission Valley. He currently owns a small ranch that he spends his days operating with his wife, Lydia, of 41 years. He has three sons.
Fleming graduated from Ronan High School. He went on the get a bachelor’s degree in business from Carroll College and a master’s degree in education from the University of Montana. He also served in the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam veteran. His political experience includes a session with the Montana Legislature, HD 12 in 2009. He was on the St. Ignatius Rural Fire Board, Lake County Planning Board, MEA-MFT Board of Directors, OPI Variance to Standards Committee and Montana History Teacher of the Year, and he has experience coaching youth sports. He believes his experiences can help him solve Montana issues. The budget was the first of those issues.
“A structurally balanced budget in which income matches expenditures must be insisted on at all times,” he said. “Although our schools, prisons and health needs continue to rise, we must remember cutting taxes for families and small businesses benefits our state’s business climate and economy.”
Energy issues are important to Fleming, including coal production.
“First, it is important to remember if coal production decreases, good jobs are also lost,” he said. “At the same time, the problems of carbon-based energy in climate change and the revenue Montana will miss must be dealt with proactively. Being aware of the possibilities, we can create job opportunities in research, construction, and finance in other energy sources. Dealt with thoughtfully, this issue potentially creates good paying clean energy jobs and supports small businesses in the coal regions of Montana.”
As a retired teacher with 40 years of experience, education is one of his top priorities. He believes funding should be available for schools and quality teachers.
“Investment in our children is the best investment we can make,” Fleming said.
