Kristen Juras stands with Montana Gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte. (courtesy photo)
BILLINGS, MT– At a rally Sunday night in Billings, Congressman Greg Gianforte, Republican candidate for governor, announced that Great Falls attorney Kristen Juras will be his running mate for this upcoming Governor’s race as the lieutenant governor.
Juras, a small businesswoman and attorney, will be a “partner in the governor’s office as we put Montana back on the right track,” Gianforte said at the press conference Sunday night.
As Juras was introduced to the crowd of close friends and local supporters, she stated,
“I’m honored to join you on the ticket, and I’m eager to work with you to put Montana back on track,” Juras told Gianforte.
Juras turned to the assembled crowd, “Greg’s a good leader, a good executive, and a family man who wants to make Montana a better place. I’m excited to be his partner in the governor’s office, as we turn a corner from 16 years of Democrat rule to help Montana realize our full, outstanding potential.”
A fourth-generation Montanan, Juras grew up on her family’s ranch near Conrad. Juras graduated from the University of Montana and from the University of Georgia Law School. As an attorney in private practice, Juras has helped farmers, ranchers, and small business owners navigate legal issues, and she has provided pro bono services to clients with disabilities who confront homelessness and addiction. Juras has taught at the University of Montana Law School for 20 years. Juras ran for the Montana Supreme Court in 2016. Kristen and her husband of 35 years, John, have three sons and two grandchildren.
Since announcing his candidacy in June 2019, Gianforte has built momentum as the clear frontrunner.
During 2019, Gianforte raised over $1.4 million, and he closed the year with nearly $780,000 on hand, nearly three times more than his Republican opponents combined.
Gianforte officially announced his run for governor on June 14, 2019, at the Montana Republican Party Convention in Helena.
The Gianforte-Juras candidates for Montana Governor/Lt Gov. have until Monday March 9th to file their paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office by 5pm.
