Rep. Pat Ingraham reflects on her time in the state House of Representatives

THOMPSON FALLS - Pat Ingraham of Thompson Falls is in the midst of her final term in the Montana State House of Representatives, as District 13’s voice in Helena.

In District 13 and the rest of the districts making up the 100 member legislative body, representatives are limited to four two-year terms. 

First elected in 2006 and again in 2008, 2010 and 2012, Ingraham will not be up for re-election as representatives for the 2015 session of the State House are selected.  

Before she began working in Helena, Ingraham worked for the county government for 17 years. Ingraham began her political career as a deputy clerk before becoming an elected clerk and eventually setting out for the state legislature. 

Ingraham pointed out that a driving force behind her decision to run for a position in the State House of Representatives was a lack of connectivity between legislators and those they were representing. 

As a member of local government, Ingraham’s day-to-day business was affected by legislation passed in Helena and as someone with first-hand experience operating the local end of democracy, she believed herself to be uniquely suited to represent voters around the district. 

Upon her election in 2006, and her first session in Helena, during early 2007, the scale of government at the state level awed Ingraham. 

“I was impressed, overwhelmed but impressed,” Ingraham said. 

The new District 13 representative was also amazed at the compromises and problem solving that went into passing various pieces of legislation.

“It’s not always smooth, but the legislative process was designed to be that way. Is it perfect, not quite, but it really does work,” Ingraham said. 

One such instance, where Ingraham and her colleagues were able to work together and pass a bill was in the case of House Bill 264. A bill Ingraham carried in the 2013 legislative session. 

“It exempted senior citizen centers from operators license requirements for bingo and live card games (like pinochle) as it had become a major issue in Sanders County,” Ingraham said. 

Ingraham noted that HB 264 did pass and became law. 

Fast-forward four terms and eight years later and Ingraham still believes in the legislative process, despite the heightened partisanship by both major parties over the last few years.  

“It’s a little discouraging, there seems to be a little more divisiveness, but the legislative process still works and I still feel good about trying to find balance,” Ingraham said. 

Ingraham noted the differences between the Republican and Democratic parties were not necessarily bad things. 

“Even though we disagree on some things, and probably always will, we need that. It provides checks and balances,” Ingraham said. 

The veteran Republican representative offered frank advice to whoever wins the upcoming election for the seat of District 13, an area that encompasses a large portion of Sanders County.

“Listen a great deal, learn and be slow to get angry,” Ingraham said. 

Members of the GOP, currently sit in 61 percent of the seats in the 100 person Montana House of Representatives, with the remaining 39 percent belonging to members of the Democratic Party.

These totals are down from the 2011 to 2013 session, when Republicans held 68 percent of seat in the lower house of state government. 

As for her future, Ingraham plans on taking some time off and focusing on what is important to her. 

“I plan on stepping out of the limelight, be a part of the community and take some time for family,” Ingraham said.