Meet Erin Farris-Olsen

Mother. Community Advocate. Proven Leader.

I’m Erin Farris-Olsen, a working mom, nonprofit leader, and longtime Senate District 41 resident running to represent us.

Like many families in our community, I’m feeling the pressure of rising costs, strained public services, and a government that’s too often out of touch with what we really need. I’ve spent over 20 years working in law, public policy, and nonprofit leadership. My focus is on bringing people together, solving complex problems, and getting things done.

Whether I’m advocating in a courtroom or volunteering in the community, I lead with the values that make Helena strong: listening first, leading with integrity, and always putting people over politics.

Why I’m Running

I’m running because I believe in a Montana where our kids and grandkids can thrive. That means protecting our freedoms, investing in public schools, protecting access to our streams and public lands, and making sure every family has the opportunity to succeed.

Right now, out-of-touch politicians are attacking the rights and institutions that keep our democracy strong. They’re undermining the courts, ignoring our right to privacy, and putting partisan politics ahead of good policy.

Meanwhile, families across Helena are working harder just to keep up with rising costs, limited housing, and a government that isn’t putting Montanans first.

I believe we deserve better. Helena deserves a strong voice in the legislature. Too often, our community is overlooked. I’ll be a hands-on legislator who listens, works with anyone who shares our values, and delivers real results that make life better here in the Last Best Place.

Why This Matters

Montanans are living through uncertain times. It’s harder to find affordable housing. Child care is out of reach for many families. And the cost of staying in the place we love keeps going up.

At the same time, the Montana Legislature is making decisions that shape nearly every part of our daily lives. Whether you’re raising kids, running a small business, or living on a fixed income in retirement, those choices matter.

Senate District 41 includes working people, retirees, families, and young folks just starting out. What we share is a deep connection to this place and a belief that it should work for all of us, not just a powerful few.

Because the Capitol is in our backyard, we have a real opportunity to lead by example. Being a good senator means connecting the lived experiences of our community to the policies being made just down the road.

This campaign is about protecting what matters: freedom, opportunity, and a Montana that stays affordable for the people who live here.

  • Montanans value liberty, privacy, and the right to live free from government overreach. But special interests are pushing laws that trample those rights to serve their own agenda.

    I’m committed to:

    • Standing firm against legislation that threatens our personal freedoms and undermines the right to make private decisions about our bodies and our lives,

    • Protecting free speech, government transparency, public participation, and

    • Defending the independence of our courts, because a fair, impartial judiciary is essential to protecting the freedoms we all rely on.

    I’ve stood up for these values throughout my career and on the campaign trail and I’ll keep fighting for them in the Montana legislature.

  • Montanans believe in the promise that hard work should lead to stability and that families shouldn’t be priced out of our community.

    Rising housing costs, child care shortages, and burdensome taxes are making life harder for Helena families.

    We need practical, targeted solutions that help working people get ahead.

    That’s why I’m committed to:

    • Expanding access to affordable housing, so families and neighbors aren’t priced out of town,

    • Investing in child care solutions that support our working parents and help small businesses attract and retain employees;

    • Fighting for fair tax policy so the top earners don’t take all the benefits while everyday Montanans shoulder the load.

    The 2027 Legislature will face tough choices, and I’ll be there to make sure our budget reflects real Montana values: fairness, responsibility, and opportunity for the people who live and work here.

  • Montanans believe in fairness, opportunity, and the freedom to build a good life in the place we love.

    That’s why I’m committed to:

    • Defending the right to a free and high-quality public education, from early childhood through career training;

    • Protecting access to our public lands, so future generations can hunt, hike, and connect with the places that make Montana home;

    • Standing up for worker rights, including fair wages, safe conditions, and the freedom to organize.

    Because the Montana way of life is worth protecting and no one should be left behind in the place they call home.

Where is Senate District 41?
Upcoming Events