Monica Lindeen
Encyclopedia
Monica Lindeen is an American
politician who was a Democratic member of the Montana House of Representatives
from 1999 to 2006, representing House District 43. Born in Ogden, Utah
, Monica Lindeen served as Vice Chair of the Montana Democratic Party
from 1997 to -2000. In 1996 she ran for House District 7 but lost to the incumbent.
Lindeen attended Montana State University - Billings
and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.
, running against Republican
incumbent Dennis Rehberg and Libertarian
Mike Fellows
for the lone Montana
seat in the U.S. Congress. Campaigning around the state in a biodiesel
green school bus, Lindeen fought an uphill battle with little funding in a grassroots campaign against three term Rehberg. Lindeen lost the election with 39% of the vote to Rehberg's 59% and Fellows' 2%.
Lindeen named Walt Schweitzer as Deputy State Auditor. Schweitzer, brother of Governor Brian Schweitzer
and a campaign consultant, had managed Lindeen's campaign. In the summer of 2009, an employee of the office, Laura McGee, formally complained to Lindeen that Schweitzer improperly "solicited campaign contributions from employees in the State Auditor’s office on state time." McGee was subsequently fired, and Schweitzer claimed to have no recollection of the events. McGee then filed a wrongful discharge lawsuit and an independent investigation was launched. Although the independent investigation did not substantiate McGee's allegation, in part because she did not cooperate with the investigator, the State Auditor's office nonetheless chose to settle the lawsuit. According to the Billings Gazette, "Investigating and settling McGee’s complaint cost the Auditor’s Office about $62,500," and in addition, Lindeen reinstated McGee to employment for a period of 16 months at her previous salary of $45,000 a year, allowing McGee to telecommute from her home. Walt Schweitzer remains on Lindeen's payroll.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who was a Democratic member of the Montana House of Representatives
Montana House of Representatives
The Montana House of Representatives is, with the Montana Senate, one of the two houses of the Montana Legislature. Composed of 100 members, the House elects its leadership every two years.-Composition of the House:...
from 1999 to 2006, representing House District 43. Born in Ogden, Utah
Ogden, Utah
Ogden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a...
, Monica Lindeen served as Vice Chair of the Montana Democratic Party
Montana Democratic Party
The Montana Democratic Party is the Montana party affiliate of the Democratic Party. The Montana Democratic Party is also one of the two major political parties in the U.S. state of Montana. The party is led by Chairman Jim Elliot and Vice Chair Nancy Anderson...
from 1997 to -2000. In 1996 she ran for House District 7 but lost to the incumbent.
Lindeen attended Montana State University - Billings
Montana State University - Billings
Montana State University Billings is a state university. Its main campus is located in downtown Billings, Montana, United States. Formerly Eastern Montana Normal School when it was founded, it was then renamed to Eastern Montana College before being renamed to its present name in 1994...
and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.
2006 Election
Lindeen was a candidate for the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, running against Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
incumbent Dennis Rehberg and Libertarian
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
Mike Fellows
Mike Fellows
Mike Fellows AKA Miighty Flashlight is an American musician who has performed and recorded with a variety of groups and artists since the early 1980s...
for the lone Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
seat in the U.S. Congress. Campaigning around the state in a biodiesel
Biodiesel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids with an alcohol....
green school bus, Lindeen fought an uphill battle with little funding in a grassroots campaign against three term Rehberg. Lindeen lost the election with 39% of the vote to Rehberg's 59% and Fellows' 2%.
State Auditor
On February 19, 2007 Lindeen announced her plans to run for State Auditor in the 2008 elections.Lindeen named Walt Schweitzer as Deputy State Auditor. Schweitzer, brother of Governor Brian Schweitzer
Brian Schweitzer
Brian David Schweitzer is an American politician from the U.S. state of Montana. Schweitzer is its 23rd and current governor, serving since January 2005. Schweitzer currently has one of the highest approval ratings among governors in the nation, with polls regularly showing a rating of above 60...
and a campaign consultant, had managed Lindeen's campaign. In the summer of 2009, an employee of the office, Laura McGee, formally complained to Lindeen that Schweitzer improperly "solicited campaign contributions from employees in the State Auditor’s office on state time." McGee was subsequently fired, and Schweitzer claimed to have no recollection of the events. McGee then filed a wrongful discharge lawsuit and an independent investigation was launched. Although the independent investigation did not substantiate McGee's allegation, in part because she did not cooperate with the investigator, the State Auditor's office nonetheless chose to settle the lawsuit. According to the Billings Gazette, "Investigating and settling McGee’s complaint cost the Auditor’s Office about $62,500," and in addition, Lindeen reinstated McGee to employment for a period of 16 months at her previous salary of $45,000 a year, allowing McGee to telecommute from her home. Walt Schweitzer remains on Lindeen's payroll.
External links
- Montana State Auditor's homepage
- Monica Lindeen for State Auditor
- http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/11/08/news/state/30-electday_z.txtElection coverage article from the Billings GazetteBillings GazetteThe Billings Gazette is the largest newspaper in Montana and Northern Wyoming. It is geographically one of the largest distributed newspapers in the nation....
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