1 January 2020 — 1701 mst
Montana’s Democrats hire Sandi Luckey
as their new executive director
Luckey, a Helena based labor organizer who was serving as the MDP’s treasurer, replaces Monica Lindeen, the former state legislator and auditor who served as executive director for one year. Luckey’s hiring was announced this afternoon in a cheerleader genre press release (below) that waved the flag and blew the horn, but omitted her age, her education, her campaign experience, and a mug shot photograph. Perhaps that information will be provided tomorrow.
Luckey’s job will be difficult. After the 2016 debacle, Democrats hold only one partisan statewide Montana office: governor. Gov. Steve Bullock is termed out. Holding the governorship, the MDP’s top priority, may require a political miracle: President Trump’s job approval rating in Montana remains over 50 percent, the major Republican candidate for governor are experienced and well-funded, and except for aging Mike Cooney, the Democrats seeking the job have not been battle tested in statewide elections.
Here’s the press release, verbatim.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020
Montana Democrats tap Sandi Luckey as Executive Director
Former Labor Organizer and East Helena resident begins Jan. 1
HELENA - The Montana Democratic Party has named state party treasurer and labor organizer Sandi Luckey as the new Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party starting in the New Year.
“Sandi is committed to our mission of electing Democrats who will promote policies that improve the lives of all Montanans,” said Montana Democratic Party Chair Robyn Driscoll. “This means defeating elected officials who serve themselves, corporations, and dark money donors, not Montanans. Sandi will take our work to defeat Greg Gianforte, the richest member of Congress, Maryland Matt Rosendale, and self-serving Senator Steve Daines to new levels.”
Luckey is an experienced labor organizer who dedicated her career to lifting up families through the dignity that comes from a hard day’s work and fair compensation, that includes spending a decade as the president of the Big Sky Labor Council. She is also the Montana Democratic Party Treasurer and Chair of the Lewis & Clark County Democratic Party.
She lives in East Helena with her daughter and has lived in numerous Montana communities including Fort Shaw, Butte, and Plains.
Luckey’s hiring is being welcomed by U.S. Senator Jon Tester and Governor Steve Bullock:
“I look forward to Sandi taking the reins of the Montana Democratic Party as we head into this important election year,” said U.S. Senator Jon Tester. “We must come together to continue our fight for affordable health care coverage and good-paying jobs for all Montanans.”
“It’s great to have a steady hand like Sandi at the helm of our party in 2020 because there’s a ton at stake,” said Governor Steve Bullock. “Democrats must fight to win elections up-and-down the ballot to preserve the health care of thousands of Montanans, keep dark money out of our elections and continue to make Montana a welcome place for everyone to live, work, and raise a family.”
Her hire was conducted according to the rules and bylaws of the Montana Democratic Party including a vote of the full Executive Board. Luckey’s first day on the job will be Jan. 1.