GOP Rep. Courtenay Sprunger assesses the '24 Senate race, discusses violence against the homeless in Kalispell and more
GOP Rep. Courtenay Sprunger assesses the '24 Senate race, discusses violence against the homeless in Kalispell and more
Plus: Free outdoor cinema in Missoula, and Julia Louis-Dreyfest returns to Billings.
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No matter whether you agree with her politics, it’s hard to dispute that GOP Representative Courtenay Sprunger had a triumphant freshman legislative session.
Sprunger sponsored a handful of bills that made an impact during the 2023 Legislature: increasing penalties for fentanyl trafficking, expanding auxiliary law enforcement officers’ ability to carry non-lethal weapons and establishing an adoption tax credit, among others. Since the session ended, she has made public appearances with both Governor Gianforte and US Representative Zinke.
An optimist at heart, Sprunger brought all of herself to her work in Helena: her deep roots in Kalispell, a family passion for education, her Christian faith and her work as the CEO of Big Sky Public Relations. (She hopes to represent House District 7 again next session; her 2024 campaign website is already up and running.)
Read on as Rep. Sprunger and I discuss whether divisive rhetoric from Flathead County Commissioners played a role in the recent murder of Scott Bryan, an unhoused man in Kalispell, her pitch for the Republican Party and who she sees as the best candidate for the ‘24 Montana GOP Senate nomination.
Max: What feels like the biggest victory to you from the ‘23 Legislature?
Rep. Courtenay Sprunger: The bill that meant the most to me was the adoption tax credit. I’m strongly pro-family, and have mentored probably a hundred kids over the years. You see families come in who are willing to expand and open their homes and to grow through adoption; it is an incredibly arduous process, whether you're going through private or through foster care. For all of us to step up and say these children's lives matter, and [to tell] the families who are supporting them that we're behind you, that bill meant the most to me.
What sorts of mentoring have you done?
For three or four years, I had the same group of about fifteen junior high girls, and we met together every week. As a youth leader or a kind of aunt, you have a special opportunity to come alongside families and parents to be a voice of encouragement and to demonstrate to these girls what their potential is.
I've coached three or four or five volleyball and basketball teams for young ladies, sixth graders. I also did ninth grade girls volleyball when I was in college. Originally, I was going to be a PE teacher and a coach. I find the opportunity to participate with our young people and be a part of their success so gratifying.
That’s awesome. Switching gears a bit, how did your first session differ from your expectations?
It was both better and worse, right? 90% of the time, it was better. Obviously we went through some really big ups and downs that I don't think I could have anticipated that were really hard on everybody in the House.
What’s your take on the censure of Representative Zephyr?
Representative Zephyr and I had gotten to know each other throughout the session. We shared book titles, we talked about some different ideas on legislation. Representative Zephyr is a very competent, bright person, and very caring in many ways. And so [the censure] created for me a place of pain I had to walk through. And I'm sure that's hard for some people to imagine, but the reality is that I do care about the people in the chamber, and I care about Representative Zephyr.
For me, as hard as it sometimes is, I think the rules are critically important to ensuring a safe environment for every single person. If you were to ask me, would I take the [affirmative censure] vote the way again, I think that regardless of who it is, we have to ensure we're following the rules, or the rules don't mean anything.
In your hometown of Kalispell, a nineteen year-old has been accused of beating an unhoused man to death. Can you describe how, and whether, that horrific event has permeated conversation in the community?
Absolutely. Through all levels and through all political circles, I think that people recognize the value of life and the tragedy and the brutality, regardless of where they stand politically. I haven't yet heard anybody say anything other than “I want that young person held accountable;” that it’s an egregious crime.
A few months prior, the three Flathead County Commissioners [Brad Abell, Randy Brodehl and Pam Holmquist] wrote an open letter, titled “Stop Enabling Homeless Population.” Some community leaders have argued that its message facilitated this act of violence. Do you think there's merit to that argument?
I've heard that same argument. I don't believe that that letter instigated this crime. I want to say first and foremost that people are personally responsible for the choices that they make. And that young man knew that was wrong. He knew it was violent, and he knew that he was doing damage to somebody else. So I think to place the blame at anybody else's feet and say that these people are responsible is to go down a really dangerous road. As leaders, it's really easy to sit around and point fingers.
This might sound like semantics, but even if the county commissioners don’t bear responsibility, per se, would you consider that kind of language to be a contributing factor?
The first major gift I gave was to The Warming Center. And I've had the opportunity to support the Samaritan House through the Feed the Need Benefit Concert along with the Flathead Food Bank. For me, to have compassion and to reach out to those who are without housing or those who are in a difficult stage of life is a portion of my Christian belief. I also believe that we do reach a point sometimes where we are enabling [homeless individuals], and I think that our county commissioners, from what I can see, are trying to figure out how to navigate that route. I know each one of them individually, and I know they care about people. And so I don't believe that that's the intention.
I've seen Commissioner Abell out doing cleanups alongside people that are experiencing homelessness. I have seen him be just incredibly caring in so many ways. I know that he was disheartened when I talked to him. [He said], “Gosh, that was never my intention, but we're trying to create a safe community.”
Let’s talk about the 2024 Montana Senate race. Between businessman Tim Sheehy, who has formally entered the GOP primary, and US Representative Rosendale, who is expected to join the race, do you think one is better suited to beat the incumbent, Democratic Senator Tester?
Oh boy. There was a little joke at the legislature: I ordered 20 Magic Eight balls and secretly spread them throughout the Senate and the House just as a little wink. I’m wishing for one right now, to tell you the answer definitively. At their core, they probably agree on a lot, right? Oftentimes, we focus on what they don't agree on.
Now, if I'm just looking at it logically, if somebody is looking at Senator Tester and saying, “I don't think he's quite the right fit for me anymore,” I think it's a lot longer stretch to move to Congressman Rosendale, versus Tim Sheehy.
I've talked to [Mr. Sheehy]. He's very conservative, but I think he is really focused on a business platform; he's been highly engaged in the Montana business community. Obviously he served our country and demonstrated valor. I think for a lot of people, we can connect to that in a way that's maybe a little bit more of an easy leap.
I think Congressman Rosendale has really established himself with the Freedom Caucus at the federal level and certainly is a hardworking guy. But I think that's a wide span, right? So they're both conservative, very conservative from what I can see. I think Tim Sheehy seems like a little bit more of a natural fit for those independent voters.
Before we wrap up: what’s your pitch for why Montanans should vote for the Republican Party?
Montanans, on the whole, we grew up with these principles of hard work, knowing your neighbors, caring for your neighbors. You want to eat, you work, right? Those are the ways that I grew up, and that was a blessing and a happiness for me. I see a lot of those principles as underpinnings in the traditional Republican platform, concepts that say, “Hey, when people work for what they have, it creates joy in their life. It creates productivity, it creates innovation.”
That's what I love about the Republican platform: It's just this belief in the capability of people to do great things and to take care of one another.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
One other thing (or two)…
The North-Missoula Community Development Corporation (NMCDC) recently kicked off its outdoor free cinema series. Every Saturday this summer, catch a wonderful film in the field behind the old Whittier School at 1001 Worden Ave. This Saturday, July 29, they’ll screen the critically-acclaimed animated film Tokyo Godfathers. Next up: Parasite. More info here.
Don’t miss Billings’ epic Julia LouisDreyfest (August 11-13), a whirlwind of Montana rock’n’roll, visual arts and comedy in the Magic City. Featuring sets from the Foilies, Cosmic Sans, Bull Market and too many more to count! More info / tickets here.
The veteran songwriter, violinist and whistler Andrew Bird will perform at The Elm in Bozeman on Tuesday, August 1. Uwade supports. Tickets / info here.
Correction: In last week’s newsletter, I described Rep. Kelly Kortum as the communications director for Gallatin County Democrats. He held the position prior to becoming a state representative, but does not hold it currently.
Thanks so much for being here. In the meantime, you can always reach me via email, the comment section below, or on the Elon Machine, @SavageLevenson.