Places That Have Shaped Me

Walking the neighborhood is a reminder of what’s at stake.

I pass houses where I once rented a room for under $400 a month. Basement apartments. Dog-friendly places that made it possible to get started here. Those homes shaped my life.

I’ve worked different jobs, learned how to stretch a meal by dropping an egg into top ramen, and figured out that fresh Van’s nectarines make almost anything better. That’s how people build a life. One step at a time, in communities that make room for them.

Some of those places still make me smile when I pass them:

• “The Badger Hole” on Washington Street

• “836”, the pink house on 8th

• “Sopranos Supper Club”, the Warren Street house with the lights

• Porch hangs at the Lawrence four-plex, when I was working at Starbucks

Too many of those entry points into community life are disappearing. I’m running to protect the kind of Helena that lets people put down roots, know their neighbors, and build a future without being pushed out.

What I’m Hearing Around SD41

A few things keep coming up in conversations lately:

• Winter… is it ever coming?
  If there is one thing that brings us together, it’s the land and living in the same valley. This year, record setting temperatures have everyone feeling off-beat. I’ve barely needed hand warmers so far this year and I’m noticing the light lingering a little longer each evening.

• Affordable housing and wealth inequality
  Wealth inequality remains one of the most urgent issues people raise, especially for renters, first-time homeowners, and folks on fixed incomes. I remember when my rent went form $800 to $1,200 at “836” and I was shocked, now similar properties are being rented for more than $2,200 a month. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines “affordable housing” as housing on which the occupant is paying no more than 30 percent of gross income for housing costs, including utilities. Without getting into details, much of our housing supply is not within that definition.

• Education and benefits cliffs
  I’ve heard first-hand stories from people accessing the Office of Public Assistance. Working people on very tight margins. Many within $100 of losing health insurance. People who cannot accept promotions without risking health coverage, as staffing shortages delay benefits processing and leave working people without support.

• Fear and relief around immigration
  Many shared fear related to ICE activity. After Helena passed its resolution on January 26, I heard a shift toward relief. Local leadership matters.

• No one likes money in politics.
  Jeff Mangan of the Transparent Election Initiative, presented in Helena again this month. While working for the Montana Senate, I heard overwhelming support for getting money out of Montana politics. This initiative has a tight turn around to get the votes it needs to get on the ballot. You can sign up early HERE.

• Protecting nonpartisan courts
  I’m proud to have spent the last two years advocating for nonpartisan courts. Two initiatives have merged into one strong effort to protect judicial independence ahead of 2027.

What I’ve Been Working On

• I met with the Montana Budget and Policy Center to talk through property tax relief and practical tools like the circuit breaker to support homeowners and renters, especially those on fixed incomes. According to MBPC, 80% of homeowners experienced a decrease in property tax as a result of action take by the 2025 Legislature. Further improvements can be made in 2027 with bipartisan support.

• I spent time with Helena High School Democrats. After a planned protest was abruptly stopped last month, I hope our whole community will be inspired to show up and listen. Young people are our future, and our campaign systems are not built for them yet, which means we need to get creative.

• Motivated by the urgency of Montana’s housing crisis, I sat down with Representative Dave Fern of Whitefish, an expert and longtime advocate, to strategize around the tools we’ll need in 2027. From inclusionary zoning and deed restrictions to strengthening the state housing tax credit, we discussed meaningful legislative paths forward. I’m honored to have Dave’s endorsement and look forward to partnering with him in the next Legislature to deliver smart, local solutions that keep our communities livable.

• I met with Catalyst to discuss 2027 health care priorities, with a focus on rising insurance premiums and the affordability crisis facing Montana families. We talked through legislative options beyond Medicaid, like addressing reinsurance and market stabilization. These are the kinds of substantive policy conversations I’m ready to bring to the Montana Senate from day one.

What I’m Cooking Lately

Senate District 41 is full of people who show up — for each other and for me. Cooking is one of the ways I feel that spirit of care and connection.

Laughing Water made the Real Food Store a reality, and I’m endlessly grateful for that spice section. It inspires me to experiment, nourish others, and share what’s working in my kitchen.

This week’s recipe felt a lot like running for office: I usually roast a chicken on its own, but I took a risk and threw the veggies in at the same time. It worked. Turns out, people are always wowed, but it’s not the recipe, it’s the Milford Colony Fryers. (Also available at the Real Food Store.)

Here’s to trying something new, trusting your ingredients, and feeding the people around you, in the kitchen and on the campaign trail.

Milford Colony Roast Chicken & Curried Cauliflower & Carrots
A simple, cozy side that makes the whole house smell amazing.

Thanks for being part of this community and for taking the time to read. Whether you’re showing up at events, sharing concerns, cooking for neighbors, or just paying attention, it all counts.

Onward!
Erin

Every Montanan deserves to live in a state where:

☑️ Our constitutional freedoms are protected
☑️ We can count on strong public schools
☑️ Future generations can fish, hunt, and explore the lands that make this place home
☑️ Hard work leads to stability, not stress over housing or childcare
☑️ The wealthy don’t get a free ride while the rest of us pay the price

There is so much to do and so many ways to plug in, connect with neighbors, and be part of this team.

Here are a few ways to get involved today:

• Make a donation — every dollar helps us reach more voters

• Endorse the campaign — your public support helps build trust and persuades others to join us.

• Sign up to knock doors — or volunteer in other ways

• Host a yard sign — help show your support visibly

• Write a letter to the editor — your voice matters

• Share our campaign — forward this email or tag us on social Facebook & Instagram 

Have something else in mind? Let us know here.

Together, we can protect what matters most and build a better future for all of us.

I’d be honored to have your support.

Checks can also be made out directly to: Erin 4 Montana, P.O. Box 141 Helena, MT 59624.