About Ken Miller and Bill Gallagher

About Ken Miller

Like so many Montanans, Ken Miller grew up on a family farm, spending much of his early years with livestock and local businesspeople.  And, like many young, single men not afraid of a challenge, Ken spent time as a bull rider.  He learned first-hand the value and integrity found in the hard work, struggle and, eventually, success that followed – and feels that his time being thrown from bulls prepared him tremendously for politics.  

In 1979, Ken started his first business, in construction and roofing.  A year later, he married Peggy, a kindred spirit who, like Ken, grew up knowing the value of very hard work in a local family business.   Nothing was made easy in their early years together, but Ken and Peggy embraced every opportunity to learn from it and transform it into success and appreciation.  Since 1983, the Millers have lived in Laurel, Montana, with their two children, Max (23) and Kyndall (19), and have started, owned and operated a number of successful businesses in the construction, retail, management, and manufacturing industries which served customers in all 50 states and two Canadian Provinces. Through these they have passed on their work ethic and faith in God – combined with opportunities to receive an education and give back to their state.  

As a close-knit family, the Millers enjoy their time together, and have had a long-standing reputation for their unabashed love of country, community and active participation in it.   The Millers have 20 years experience in actively supporting local and statewide political campaigns, including presidential, state, and local races.  

They engage in family business, and, like many Montanans – love of the outdoors.   Hunting and fishing, to name a few, are mandatory Miller family pastimes.  Above political activities, Ken also takes time to support and participates in various community organizations. Ken is a founding Board member of the Yellowstone Valley YMCA; two-term President of Laurel Lions, member of Laurel Chamber of Commerce, and coach for multiple YMCA youth sports programs.  Ken is a proud member of the NRA, Laurel Rod and Gun Club, Citizens for Balanced Use, and Montana Shooting Sports Association.

In 1990, Ken ran his own campaign for State Senate, in a Democrat-dominated district.  Ken was the first Republican State Senator to serve the traditionally strong Democrat area of Laurel, and was elected State Senator for Laurel and Southwest Billings in 1995, serving two consecutive terms.  He knows what it takes to run a political campaign with honesty and integrity, and reach the concerns of all Montanans. Montanans have responded to his message.

Ken’s work as State Senator exemplifies his understanding of today’s issues, in a variety of areas in state government.  Ken helped fight for Montanans by holding positions on various committees including: Business and Industry, Natural Resources, Vice Chair of Finance, Fish and Game, and the Legislative Audit Committee to name a few. During his time in the legislature Ken understood the importance of creating jobs and developing our natural resources so he passed legislation to reduce the coal severance tax by two-thirds to any new energy devolvement in state. Ken also voted for Parental notification, reducing obstructional environmental regulation, and voted against numerous tax increases.

Ken’s balanced knowledge of state governmental affairs and championing conservative values earned him the position of State Party Chairman in 2002. As chairman he traveled to every county and built up the largest Republican organization in years. This paired with raising 2.5 million dollars to help candidates across the state was crucial to ensuring strong majorities in the legislature.   Ken learned how to battle for integrity and honesty, even with strong pressure from Democrats, moderates and the “good ole’ boy network”.  

What makes Ken Miller different from other candidates?  Ken understands fully what everyday Montanans face in this stalled state economy, and has the home-grown experience AND backbone to get our people back to work, and our children finding jobs in this state again. It has been whispered that Ken Miller is “too honest for politics”.   Ken Miller is guilty as charged.

This, combined with Ken’s business background, his faith, and time as a public servant – literally – has well-prepared Ken to be the next Governor of Montana.    A governor we can trust to get the job done and not become part of the Washington problem – because Ken Miller is fighting for Montana.

Miller supporters across the state are joining in the “Miller Momentum”. The establishment candidates too often run a Washington-based agenda, not a Montana-based agenda.  Turn the tide by choosing Ken Miller for Governor:  THE right choice for 2012.   

Ken looks forward to talking with all Montanans, please call him on his personal cell phone at 406-670-8318 or email at: Ken@Miller4Governor.com to ask him the tough questions, and receive real answers.

About Bill Gallagher, Lt. Governor Candidate

Bill Gallagher is the kind of Montanan who has seized unique opportunities and broadened his knowledge base in industries that will contribute to making Montana a better place when he takes office as our Lieutenant Governor.  

Like so many who have travelled to the Treasure State, Bill was not born in Montana, but came here as fast as he could from his home state of Nevada – with a football in hand.  Bill received a scholarship to play for Western Montana College and graduated in 1983.  Like many young Montanans, Bill learned the value of hard work early on, with his first position in Dillon as a mine mechanic and heavy equipment operator while working toward a degree. 

After earning his teaching certificate, Bill became an educator and taught high school civics, and put his competitive spirit to work by coaching basketball in Plains, Montana, for four years.   In 1987, Bill moved to Polson and began a successful 20-year career with the Farm Bureau Insurance companies.

33 years ago, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Jennifer.   Together, they have owned and operated several businesses, including the Polson Days Inn and Lake County Farm Bureau Insurance.   In 1996, Bill was asked to move to Helena and open a Farm Bureau office.  There, Bill and Jennifer tried their hands at farming, starting with 125 acres of alfalfa.   This provided the Gallaghers a glimpse of the struggles and joys of commercial farming, and a lifelong love of agriculture.  

After more than 20 years with Farm Bureau, Bill decided that it was time to take advantage of the opportunities that he did not have at a young age, and enroll in law school.   At the age of 45, Bill enrolled in the University of Montana School of Law and completed his Juris Doctorate in 2005.  Bill has been in private law practice in Helena since.  He works in the areas of estate, business and tax planning, private property rights and utility law. 

In 2010, disturbed by state and national politics and always ready for a challenge, Bill ran for Montana Public Service Commission.  Despite substantial opposition from the hard-left environmental organizations, Bill won a sweeping election to five-member Montana Public Service Commission.  As a Commissioner, Bill has worked tirelessly to protect Montana families and businesses and to bring common sense to Montana Government.

Bill will bring a unique set of qualities as Lieutenant Governor:  that of a true statesman, who has spent most of his energy in knowing how everyday Montanans must succeed, with public service of a good neighbor.  Bill’s home-spun values, in addition to his background in education, small business, agriculture and law make him a formidable opponent to the democrat in the General Election, and a priceless part of the Miller administration in the next four years.     

Bill and Jennifer still reside in Helena, and have two grown children and three grandchildren.