Montana Federation of Public Employees endorses lawyer Joel Krautter in Republican primary

“MFPE members know what efficient, effective government looks like,” MFPE President Amanda Curtis said in a statement from the union. “We look at Congress and we see historic dysfunction. MFPE members need stability in Washington, D.C., so we can do our jobs keeping Montana communities safe, our students in school, our businesses supported, and our families healthy.

“Joel Krautter will crush Congressional chaos, and he needs our votes.”

Krautter grew up in Deer Lodge and is a partner with the Netzer Law Office based in Sidney. He is president of the Northeast Montana Bar Association and former Trustee of the State Bar of Montana, according to his campaign website.

The nearly 10,000 MFPE members in the district will work together to support Krautter’s campaign, according to the union. Krautter has been meeting MFPE members across the district, earning the support of school and university employees, law enforcement officers, health care professionals, and city, county, and state employees, MFPE said.

“Having met Joel, I’m impressed by his commitment to being a practical, not political, member of Congress,” said MFPE member and Montana Motor Carrier Services Officer Jim Johnson of Wibaux in a statement from the union.

MFPE describes itself as Montana’s largest labor union, and members voted to endorse Krautter.

“I’m honored to have the support of thousands of public employees across eastern Montana,” Krautter said in a statement. “MFPE members are the law enforcement officers protecting us, the educators and professors teaching our kids, and other dedicated individuals keeping our communities going.