Meet the candidate: Courtenay Sprunger, Republican for HD-7

Courtenay Sprunger

Party: Republican

Age: 41

Family: I have an amazing, large family! I’m the daughter of Gary and Kay Burt and my brothers are Justin Burt and Brandon Burt. I’m also blessed with 13 beautiful nieces and nephews.

Occupation: Owner and CEO of Big Sky Public Relations

Community involvement: 2021 Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Board Chair (I have served seven concurrent years on the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Board; Kalispell Daybreak Rotary, Member; Montana Ambassadors, Member; Flathead Area Young Professionals, 2014 Board Chair; Montana Public Relations Society of America, 2000 Board Chair; Conrad Mansion Board Member

What are the top issues you would like to see addressed in the next legislative session?

As your representative for Montana House District 7, I’m committed to building a stronger Kalispell by prioritizing infrastructure, education, housing, and community safety. I’ve spoken with thousands of people in the district over the last year and confirmed these priorities are shared by district’s residents.

Given our community’s tremendous growth, it’s imperative to upgrade primary roadways and bridges so residents can get where they need to go safely and efficiently. We need a robust workforce to do it, which is one reason I am strong supporter of education. Given Kalispell’s needs, I will focus on improving CTE (Career Technical Education) offerings that increase opportunities for our students in the trades, manufacturing, and technology – these are in-demand jobs that provide our young people a chance to build a future in the Flathead.

Along with infrastructure and education, the housing shortage is an urgent issue. We need more inventory, and we need it in places that make sense for the community – our local government is best suited to make these decisions. At the state level, we can address inefficiencies in state processes, without sacrificing safety. Limiting unnecessary bureaucracy and delays can reduce the costs to build a project. Like infrastructure, we must ensure there is an available workforce to build housing – our labor shortage is increasing housing costs.

Along with this, I believe it is imperative we find a solution for both short-term property tax relief and a permanent solution to ensure hardworking Montanans aren’t pushed out of their homes.

Finally, I will be a tireless advocate for our community’s safety. I plan to prioritize legislation that accelerates quality education for new local law enforcement officers and to support improvements to our state hospital, mental health care systems in Northwestern Montana, and Montana’s state prison system.

Why are you the best choice to represent your district?

As a fifth-generation resident of the Flathead, my deep roots and understanding of Kalispell have prepared me well to represent Montana House District 7.

My family has served this community for more than a century – my great-great-grandparents helped settle the farmland of Lower Valley, my grandmother was the Flathead’s first female Justice of the Peace, and my father taught at Flathead High for 30 years.

Based on what I’ve learned through years of my own service in our community, building a local business in the district, and the conversations I’ve had at thousands of doors, I’m prioritizing infrastructure, education, housing, and community safety. These are practical issues that can benefit all members of House District 7 and I have the background to successfully further these priorities.

I bring a decade of experience in the transportation sector, a lifetime as an educator’s daughter, demonstrated success as an organizational leader, and a solid understanding of Kalispell’s economics and local government.

Serving as your representative is my opportunity to do more for the community I have loved all my life and to be a part of ensuring that Kalispell remains a place we can all be proud to call home.