Fred Lake, owner of the M&M Café in Sidney, has announced his candidacy for the State Senate District 19 currently held by Sen. Don Steinbeisser.

The only candidate who has filed for the position has been Republican Matt Rosendale, Glendive. The district includes portions of Richland, Dawson and Wibaux counties.

“I want to make sure eastern Montana’s growth continues in a responsible way, and ensure that our communities remain viable,” Lake, who has filed on the Democratic ticket, said. “The growth we’re experiencing in eastern Montana should not be boom and bust. In the legislature, I will help create diversified business opportunities and jobs, so that our young people will have the opportunity to stay within the region.” Lake stays active in the community as a member of Richland Economic Development and the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. He is chairman of the community action group for housing in Richland County and the chamber’s sports and recreation committee. He currently operates the M&M Cafe in Sidney for his parents, Martin and Marilyn Lake, and has two sons, Vaun and Weston.

“As a small business owner, I understand the importance of a well-educated workforce,” Lake said. “That’s why I will work with local educators to increase and further develop the educational opportunities within the region.”

Lake was born in Sidney and raised on a farm south of Lambert. He graduated from Lambert High School and Montana State University. While at MSU, he was commissioned an Air Force officer through the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) and stationed at Buckley AFB in Aurora, Colo. As a captain, he became an instructor at the Air Force Undergraduate Space Training facility at Vandenburg AFB in California. He earned a master’s degree in telecommunications management while working for Qwest Communications through Webster University. 

“I will work together with both sides of the aisle to keep the Oil Revenue Funds utilized in the impacted regions of Montana,” Lake said. “Montana has had a variety of natural resource development throughout the state, and a precedent is already in place to determine how that money is distributed. The oil revenue from eastern Montana should stay in our communities to develop our infrastructure for the long term.”

He says he will campaign throughout the year leading up to the election. He hopes to meet with most of the district voters face-to-face in the coming months. Any comments or questions  can be sent to Fred Lake for State Senate Campaign, PO Box 120, Lambert, MT 59243 or FredLake4Senate@yahoo.com.

“The big thing is working at the state level for growth in this area,” Lake said.

In Senate District 18, meanwhile, which features part of  Richland County, candidates so far are Republican incumbent John Brenden and Democrat Julie French.