Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen is wasting no time in her campaign to be Montana’s next Secretary of State. She started public campaigning this week in Havre even though the election is still a year and a half away. When asked why she’s getting into the race so early, this was her reply.

"Campaigning at any point in time is a lot of work, but at the same time I think it's necessary to let folks know what your intentions are," Lindeen said. "I've found over time that you can sometimes avoid a primary if you let your intentions be known. Certainly, I wanted to make sure I let folks know what I'm going to do, so I've done that now."

Lindeen listed three main issues that she will be focusing on during the campaign.

"I want to continue to make sure that out of state money and corporations never have more power in our elections then Montanans who stand up and vote," Lindeen said. "I want to make sure that our public lands are made in public hands, and always make sure that Montana small businesses have the support they need to compete."

Lindeen said that she is extremely busy with her family, running the State Auditor’s office, and will be campaigning when she has some free time. Both Lindeen and current Secretary of State Linda McCulloch will be termed out of office in 2017. McCulloch said she does not plan to run for public office again.

More From KMMS-KPRK 1450 AM