Ric Holden
Active candidates for U.S. House District 2 (East)
Republican
Democrat
Holden, 63 as of Election Day, is a Glendive-area rancher who previously spent eight years serving as a state senator. He says he was born in Spokane, Washington, and has lived in Montana since moving to the state as an infant.
As he campaigns, Holden has cited his desire to strengthen border security and advocate for agricultural interests in Washington, D.C.
“I want to see the crazy border crisis ended and I believe that Montana needs someone in Washington, D.C., that is in agriculture watching out for them every day in committee,” he said.
This biography is based on written materials provided to MTFP by Holden, verified against public records where possible.
ON THE ISSUES
Answers here were solicited from candidates via a written questionnaire conducted by MTFP in April 2024. Responses were limited to 1,000 characters and edited lightly for punctuation and spelling. Candidates were asked to focus on the positives their service would bring the state instead of making rhetorical attacks on their opponents. Responses have not been exhaustively fact-checked.
There is not one specific issue troubling eastern Montana but a kaleidoscope of several issues. It is my observation that the border crisis, agriculture, natural resource development, inflation and home purchase prices share a top priority type of interest with Montana voters. One thing is for sure: In every corner of the district the open border policy of the Democrats seems to irritate people the most. There are thousands of people streaming illegally across the border daily. We are giving these illegal aliens all sorts of free benefits, like free debit cards, cell phones, health care, education and hotel accommodations. Don’t forget that they also get a free ride to their favorite sanctuary city for even more benefits. The border needs to be closed first and then we can negotiate a new immigration policy. Those who have already illegally crossed the border need to be sent back. We cannot afford to take in all these people on the backs of the American taxpayer.
I admire Sen. Ted Cruz. I have always thought that he tried to uphold the virtues of the U.S. Constitution. He does not seem to let his distractors get him down and always stays on point.
Let's hope that does not happen. He is totally out of it mentally. At any rate, I respect the position and if he wins, he will certainly deserve my respect as our president. Once the election is over it is time to get to work for the American citizens that elected us. All of our efforts should be focused on America and not so much with bickering between all the members.
I do support former President Trump for president. I am willing to listen to his ideas and give him support to get his time-tested policies passage. I never imagined that he would be able to get so much done as he did the first four years. Inflation was low, interest rates were low, the jobs report always showed good results and the farm bills were always supported by President Trump. I never would have believed that a man from New York City could help and support Montana farmers to the degree that he did. I will give him all the support he needs to get the southern border crisis under control.
We have about a $35 trillion U.S. debt to service. Congress needs to take the steps now to bring down the debt level. We are broke by any business standards. The U.S. government takes in about $5 trillion a year in tax revenue. At this point the best way to start getting a handle on our spending habits is to stop increasing our spending. No new programs. We can't even afford what we have already committed to in the past. We sure could cut national public radio, endowment for the arts, free cell phones, debit cards, hotel rooms, health care and education to illegal aliens. I don't get any of that stuff free myself, why should an illegal alien get it?
I have always been endorsed by the Right to Life organization. I will continue to support the efforts to save babies from being killed. In this case the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken, and they say it is a state right issue. So let the states handle it and we should step back and see how it goes for a few years.
Congress can work to support the development of our natural resources industry, which will in turn stimulate the economy with new job growth and consumption of American products. We need to drill and use our own American oil to fuel our economy. Once we begin rebuilding our energy sector then the economy will get much better and the value of our dollar will regain strength and purchasing power. This is how you lift everyone up in a modern economy. A strong economy makes everything more affordable.
I don't view climate change as an urgent issue. There is no amount of tax dollars you can spend to stop the climate from changing if in fact it is changing. Science now shows that when Al Gore declared that the East Coast was going to be flooded by 2020, it in fact did not happen. The shoreline is exactly where it has always been as confirmed by satellite photos. Pollution that is manmade is something that we can control. Let's make more of an effort to tackle an issue like that and the complications that our city landfills are facing.
To me there is a simple answer. Shut the border down from illegal alien crossings, build the wall, stop paying out all the freebies and send the non-profits home. Gather up as many of these people that illegally crossed the border that we can find and ship them back to where they entered the US. What the Democrats have allowed to happen is a crime against all of us taxpayers and our children that will be paying for this debacle for the rest of their adult lives.
I never supported Obamacare. The day that bill passed was the day my health insurance premiums began to increase uncontrollably. I was told by the Democrats that I would be able to keep using my doctor and my premiums were not going to increase. They were clearly wrong. My bill from Montana Blue Cross-Blue Shield rose from $450 per month to $1,700 just before I canceled the plan. I ended up getting coverage from a unfunded Christian health care cost share policy. It is working and now I understand that the Democrats do not like Christian health care companies. Let's repeal Obamacare and let the free market go out and price the product in a competitive atmosphere.
MTFP COVERAGE OF Holden
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Election outcomes
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| TROY DOWNING | 36,050 | |
| DENNY REHBERG | 17,070 | |
| STACY ZINN | 13,478 | |
| ELSIE ARNTZEN | 9,394 | |
| KEN BOGNER | 8,969 | |
| RIC HOLDEN | 7,063 | |
| JOEL G. KRAUTTER | 3,409 | |
| KYLE AUSTIN | 3,138 | |
| ED WALKER | 1,152 |
COMMON VOTING QUESTIONS
When are Montana’s 2024 elections?
Voters will pick which candidates advance to the November general election in the June primary, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4. Voters will pick the candidates who will ultimately fill each office on the ballot in the November election, which is set for Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Who runs Montana’s elections?
Montana elections are administered at the county level. The process is overseen by county clerks and election administrators, who help to train and monitor the volunteer election judges that staff the polls. Ballots are typically processed and counted at central county locations, with the results reported to the Montana secretary of state’s office via a statewide software system called ElectMT.
Once polls close, the secretary of state’s office provides results through its website. The state-level office also provides guidance to local election administrators to ensure compliance with state election laws. Additionally, enforcing compliance with some laws governing political campaigns, particularly those involving campaign finance, falls to a separate office known as the Commissioner of Political Practices.
Do I need to be registered in order to vote?
Yes. If you’re unsure about your registration status, you can check it through the Montana secretary of state's My Voter Page. You can register to vote by stopping by your county election office any time during regular business hours to pick up an application. After you’ve filled it out, you’ll need to get it back to your county election office by mail or in person (the latter option is strongly recommended close to Election Day to ensure your application is received in time). If you do present your application in person, you’ll have to provide a photo ID or the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you happen to be applying for a Montana driver’s license or identification card before the election, you can register to vote at the same time.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes. The state Legislature has sought to enact an earlier registration deadline, but under a March 2024 ruling by the Montana Supreme Court, same-day voter registration remains legal in Montana. Residents can register to vote or update their voter registration at their county’s election office prior to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Does Montana have voter ID requirements?
Yes, you will be required to present identification when voting at the polls. However, under the Montana Supreme Court’s March ruling, changes made to those requirements by the 2021 Legislature remain blocked. The current forms of identification voters can use at the polls are a current Montana driver’s license, state-issued photo ID, tribal or military photo ID, a U.S. passport or a student ID. If you don’t have a photo ID, you can use a utility bill, a bank statement, a voter confirmation card or any other government document that shows your name and address.
Are there situations where I wouldn't be eligible to vote?
According to state law, you can't vote if you'll be under age 18 on Election Day, are not a U.S. citizen, or have lived in Montana less than 30 days. Convicted felons who are currently incarcerated in a penal facility and people whom judges have ruled to be of unsound mind are also ineligible to vote. Otherwise, you're good to go.
Can I vote online?
No, that’s not an option in Montana.
Can I vote by mail?
Yes, you can sign up as an absentee voter by checking a box on your voter registration form. If you’re already registered to vote, you can fill out a separate form and submit it to your county election office.
If you’re registered as an absentee voter, a ballot should be mailed to you a few weeks in advance of each election day. You can make sure your address is current via the My Voter page. County election officials are slated to mail ballots to voters for the June 2024 primary election May 10.
You can return ballots by mail, or drop them off in person at your county’s election office. Either way, the election office must receive your ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day in order to count it.
How do I vote in person?
If you plan to vote at the polls, just be sure you know where your polling location is and head there between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day. You'll need to provide a photo ID and sign the precinct register, at which point you’ll get your ballot and be directed to a voting booth. If you have any technical questions or run into any problems, the election judges at your polling place should be able to help you.
I have a friend or family member who isn't able to drop off his or her mail-in ballot. Can I do it for them?
Yes, you can. The Montana Legislature did make some changes to ballot collection laws in 2021 related to paid ballot collection, those changes have also been blocked by the Montana Supreme Court.
Who should I vote for?
That’s your call, not ours. We hope the information we present on this guide is helpful as you make that decision for yourself, though.
About this project
This guide was produced by the Montana Free Press newsroom with production and web development by Eric Dietrich, editing by Brad Tyer and Nick Ehli and contributions from Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Mara Silvers, Alex Sakariassen, Amanda Eggert and Stephanie Farmer. Questionnaire responses for legislatiive candidates were collected with help from the Montana League of Women Voters, through the league's Vote 411 program. Contact Eric Dietrich with questions, corrections or suggestions at edietrich@montanafreepress.org.
Montana Free Press is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit, reader-supported news organization serving Montana. MTFP's donor base includes supporters from across Montana's political spectrum, including some Montanans who are candidates in this year's election. MTFP's major donors are listed here and a current list of other supporters is available here. MTFP's news judgments are made entirely independently from donor involvement.
This material is available for republication by other media outlets under Montana Free Press' standard distribution terms.