Fleming vying to continue career in public service

Democrat John Fleming looking to reclaim Montana House District 93 seat.

For John Fleming, an opportunity to represent District 93 in Montana’s House of Representatives comes as the latest chapter in a career spent in public service. 

The Democrat from St. Ignatius was elected to the seat in 2008, after working for 40 years in public schools. 

Although he lost the office two years later, Fleming is vying to represent his home district once again, running on a platform of protecting public lands, managing the state budget and funding education.  

Fleming said his main priority is ensuring the state remains on firm financial ground. He said the next legislature will face the challenge of creating a structurally balanced budget.

“I’m interested in having the same amount of money coming in as going out,” he said. 

With revenues coming under increased scrutiny, however, accomplishing such a task may prove difficult. 

As many lawmakers call for across-the-board cutbacks, Fleming said consideration needs to be given towards what areas to target. He said infrastructure funding typically falls under the spotlight during budget discussion, however this can backfire and hurt economic growth in the long run. 

Fleming said it’s important to support and protect programs that spur job creation. He pointed to the Mission Valley Food Enterprise Center, which provides production space for local agricultural businesses to create products. 

“If you can get some funding for those programs and protect them from cuts that’s a good thing,” he said. 

Fleming said it will require compromise to come up with suitable solutions. 

“Anytime you cut something people get upset,” he said. “But I do really work well with other representatives from both sides of the aisle.”

In addition to working on fiscal policy, Fleming said he wants to protect the state’s reputation for outstanding outdoor recreation. A life-long resident of the Mission Valley, Fleming said he would support legislation keeping public land public and accessible. 

“I’d like our grandchildren to have same opportunities to hunt and fish and have access to public land as we do,” he said.  

As a career educator, Fleming said he will also work to provide schools with the resources they need to succeed. He noted the St. Ignatius school district, which is proposing a mill levy to raise funds for what he described as basic repairs. 

“It’s always delayed maintenance,” he said. “They’re trying to put things back together like cabinets in the middle school.” 

Fleming said serving on the committees of business and labor, education and agriculture during his previous stint in the House give him a unique idea on the type of legislation that can benefit local residents.

He said that running for office again has reassured him how much he cares for his community. 

“Things are really nice,” he said. “I seem to be able to get along with pretty much everybody.”