Joel Krautter Running For Montana House District 35

On Election Day, June 5, 2018, Richland County voters will have the chance to send a local leader to Helena. Joel Krautter lives and works in Sidney, Montana. He is running for Montana House District 35. Joel cares about the things that are important to the people of Eastern Montana such as agriculture, the local leaders and schools. He wishes to do something about healthcare and the region's roadways. He is co-founder and vice president of the Sidney Young Professionals and also serves as president of the Northeast Montana Bar Association. If elected, Joel plans to keep the interests of Richland County ahead of other ideology. He wants to make a difference.

Joel was introduced to politics while attending middle school in Deer Lodge, Montana. His father made a run for mayor and Joel got to help out with the campaign. He remained interested in politics all throughout school. Joel attended college at Liberty University and the University Of Montana School of Law. Then he accepted a position with Netzer Law office, of which he is currently a shareholder, and turned his eyes to the issues troubling the people around him. Joel ran for office in 2016 and lost to Scott Staffanson. Now, before the election, he wishes to gain better insight into what the people of Richland County really want and need out of their politicians. On March 3 he is launching a Listening Tour throughout Richland County to give people a chance to express their needs. At 10:30 a.m. Joel will be at Elmdale Hall. After lunch, at 1 p.m. he is going to Girard Hall on Highway 201. Then at 3 p.m. he is going to be at the MSU Extension Building at 1499 N. Central Ave.

Joel says his philosophy is not to approach politics with an "us versus them" mentality. He will approach it with a "what is good for Richland County and Montana as a whole" mentality. He told me this "I don't believe in the politics of division. It only hurts our district." Joel also told me of how, when he ran during the last election, a group put out a negative campaign and he publicly denounced them quickly. "I'm hoping for a clean campaign." He said.

Update: We incorrectly listed the election for mayor by Joel's father as a successful run, when it was not. The story has been changed to reflect this.