Denise Juneau - candidate for Montana superintendent of public instruction - received the organization's top endorsement and was among six candidates across the country to make the list. Joey Jayne, candidate for state court district judge in Montana, also was among the six.
“I am thrilled we have so many qualified candidates to support this early in the cycle, especially with such an impressive candidate for statewide office,” Kalyn Free, president of INDN's List, said in a statement released Monday. “Denise was a superstar at our campaign camp in 2007,” she said. “We are certain she will help the children of Montana with her leadership and experience.”
“It's great having a prominent national organization endorse me and offer support,” said Juneau, a Mandan-Hidatsa and Blackfeet. “It's a very humbling experience.”
INDN's list, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit organization, is noted for its endorsements. In the last two years, the organization has claimed a
79 percent win rate for its candidates, with 22 of 28 politicos winning their elections since 2006.
Free said about 60 Native candidates are seeking office around the country. A number of those are incumbents. INDN's List is focusing on first-time candidates.
The organization's first round of endorsements includes these candidates: Juneau; Kevin Killer, an Oglala Lakota vying for South Dakota's House of Representatives; Todd Gloria, Tlingit-Haida, San Diego City Council; Jayne, who is Navajo; June Lorenzo, Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico state Senate; and Laverne Wyaco, Navajo, New Mexico state senate.
Juneau's family has a storied history of public service. Her mother, Sen. Carol Juneau, was the first Native woman elected to the Montana state senate.
Juneau is one of six candidates seeking the Montana superintendent job this fall. Other candidates include Democrats Claudette Morton, Holly Raser and Sam Kitzenberg, Republican Elaine Sollie Herman, and Libertarian Donald J. Eisenmenger.
Last Friday, Juneau stood on the back porch of a Missoula home on Friday and spoke to supporters about why she should become the next superintendent of education.
She ticked off a long list of credentials, including a Montana K-12 education, master's and law degrees earned from Harvard and the University of Montana. Job experience in grade school and high school classrooms, work on legislative committee assignments and leadership experience from her director post within the state's Office of Public Instruction.
Nancy Keenan, former Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction, has worked with Juneau at OPI.
“Denise will be a dynamic leader for our state's public schools,” Keenan said in a statement. “Denise understands the importance of providing our children with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this ever-changing world. I firmly believe that Denise is the right person at the right time to lead Montana's education system.
“Her skills working with educational leaders at the OPI and across Montana are exceptional.”
Meanwhile, Juneau said her vision and leadership are especially important now when top state leaders don't want to put any more money into the legislative budget for education.
“I thought there was no better time to step up, take the leadership role and help the state take back the discourse around education and create a positive public perception,” Juneau said.
Supporters at the Friday fundraiser visited Juneau and wrote checks to the campaign because they feel she can master the job requirements, ranging from No Child Left Behind initiatives to sitting on the state land board.
“To have somebody who fills all those positions, who has experience as a teacher, experience as a lawyer, experience as an administrator - that is an amazing combination,” said Molly Galusha, who sponsored the Friday fundraiser.
Said Juneau: “As I travel around - all people want is a quality education for their students. That is the top priority.”
Reach reporter Jodi Rave at 800-366-7186 or jodi.rave@lee.net.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)