Christine Kaufmann (politician)

Christine Kaufmann (born December 25, 1951) is a Montana politician. A member of the Montana Senate from January 2007 to 2016, she previously served three terms in the Montana House of Representatives.[1] She last represented the 41st senate district, based in Helena, Montana.

Christine Kaufmann
Kaufmann in 2009.
Member of the Montana Senate
from the 40th district
In office
January 3, 2007 – January 2, 2017
Preceded byKen Toole
Succeeded byTerry Gauthier
Member of the Montana House of Representatives
from the 81st district
In office
2000 – January 3, 2007
Preceded byDavid Ewer
Succeeded byGalen Hollenbaugh
Personal details
Born (1951-12-25) December 25, 1951
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceHelena, Montana
Websiteckaufmann.com

Biography

Kaufmann was raised on a small Mennonite family farm in Illinois with 11 siblings.[2] She earned a Bachelor's degree from Goshen College and a Master's degree from the University of Montana.[3]

A Democrat, she was first elected to the State House of Representatives in 2000 from the state's 53rd district in Helena, winning a four-way primary election with 49% of the vote.[4] She was elected after having received more roughly two-thirds of the votes cast in the general election.

As a result of the 2006 general election, Senator Ken Toole resigned from the Montana Senate, as he was elected to the Montana Public Service Commission. The following month, Kaufmann, was appointed by the Lewis and Clark County commissioners to replace him in the senate.[5] The seat was up for election in 2008 and, on June 3, 2008, she faced a primary challenge from termed out State Representative Hal Jacobson. Kaufmann was elected, having received 54% of the vote.[6]

A lesbian,[7] she is the first ever openly gay Montana state senator.[8] She was one of three LGBT members of the Montana legislature in 2015, serving alongside Diane Sands and Bryce Bennett. Her election campaigns have received endorsements from the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

References
  1. "Kaufmann files for re-election". Helena Independent Record. 2008-02-02. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  2. "Forget Sacrifice" (PDF). Portland Mennonite. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  3. "Kaufmann has learned the value of compromise". Helena Independent Record. 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  4. "Montana Secretary of State: Official Election Results". Archived from the original on 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  5. "Helenans eyeing legislative openings". Helena Independent Record. 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  6. "SD41 incumbent Kaufmann defeats challenger, colleague Jacobson". Helena Independent Record. 2008-06-04. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  7. "Arsonist hits lesbian couple's house". The Spokesman-Review. 2002-09-02. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  8. "Montana Pride celebrants call for equality". Billings Outpost News. 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
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