Ric Holden of Glendive enters 2024 Eastern Montana Congressional race

Former State Senator and Montana rancher Ric Holden, Glendive, has taken steps to enter the 2024 Eastern Montana Congressional race.

Holden represented the southeast corner of Montana in the state senate for eight years before term limiting out at the end of the 2002 special session. Holden returned to the family ranch to continue with his ranching operations and insurance claims business since that time. Holden's old senate district contained Dawson, Wibaux, Fallon, Carter, and Powder River counties. The Holden ranch is close to the town of Terry Montana in Prairie County.

This past summer Senator Holden met with and talked to many former colleagues and local area folks that have been active in conservative Montana politics. Early reports indicate that the eastern half of Montana is ready to send a representative back to Washington DC who is active in livestock and farming agriculture. The Holden family has been running farm and ranch operations in Dawson County for the past 33 years, while also allowing public hunting through the block management program. Ric and his wife Jan, have a diversified ranch business including sheep, cattle, corn, alfalfa, and grain crops. As a state senator Ric received "A" ratings from farm organizations on his legislative report cards. He also served as the senate agriculture chairman while in Helena.

Holden said, "There are many issues that are currently stopping our young people from getting ahead in today's current economic climate" Holden went on to say that "The lack of energy development right here in Montana has been apart of the failed Biden administration policies to attack Montana oil and coal production." These industries are a major part of the eastern Montana economy. Holden went onto say, "Once these industries are given a chance to produce again like they were four years ago our situation in Montana will greatly improve." Holden said that "A rising tide raises all boats and so goes our agricultural and energy sectors so goes the Montana economy."

Ric holds a college degree from Montana State University in Bozeman and was part of the US Air Force, reserve officers training corps. He has been a member of the National Rifle Association since his days in high school, and also belongs to the conservative Association of Mature American Citizens.

Ric can be found on Facebook or by contacting him at the ranch.