Nelly Nicol of Billings is running for Montana State Auditor
Billings resident Nelly Nicol is throwing her hat into the ring for the Republican nomination for State Auditor in the 2020 election, joining Troy Downing and state Rep. Shane Morigeau in that race. The State Auditor is an office that serves as the commissioner of securities and insurance in the state, runs the office responsible for protecting Montanans from fraud by regulating the insurance and securities industries, and also serves on the state Land Board.
The current officeholder is Matt Rosendale, who was elected in 2016, ran an ultimately unsuccessful bid to unseat Senator Jon Tester in 2018, and is now running to fill Greg Gianforte’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as he vacates it to run for Governor. Nicol says, ‘I have been visiting with Montanans from across the state, discussing insurance rates, expensive health care costs, CHIP, and Medicare and Medicaid expansion. These are extremely important issues to every Montanan and there are solutions. I will fight for a competitive marketplace, transparency in government, and for our local insurance agents, so all Montanans can have affordable insurance and health care.”
Nicol brings years of firsthand experience in the insurance industry to the table with at least ten years officially working for Victory Insurance and Valor Insurance as well as working for the business on the side during times she was not actively employed there, as it is a family business. She is a fourth-generation Montanan and opens her campaign announcement by saying, “I was raised in a patriotic Marine Corps household and serving others is something that comes naturally to me. As a candidate for the position of State Auditor, I will work to protect Montana consumers, fight for their best interests and bring forth transparency in the Auditor’s Office.” Nicol is far from a career politician, but has the experience and dedication necessary to get the job done in an office that has lately been seen by many as merely a stepping stone for higher offices.
One of Nicol’s top priorities if elected would be making Montana more business friendly, inviting other companies into the state to create a more competitive, “fair market playing field for all, agents and insurance companies as well as regulations,” she says, “Once there is more competition it will bring down rates and increase services.” She points out how important this is, as all Montana taxpayers are affected by insurance rates meaning that lower insurance rates could have a big impact on the bottom line of both citizens and the state.
In addition to her experience in the insurance industry, Nicol says that it would also be an honor to have a seat on the Land Board which manages over five million acres of Montana School Trust Lands, stating “I am a mother with children in Montana public schools, and someone who understands the responsibility of making decisions in the best interest of our precious Montana children and valuable land.” She also plans to keep the Senior Financial Exploitation Task Force initiated by Rosendale a top priority, saying, “I have great love and respect for our Veterans and elderly. I was employed as a CNA in nursing homes during my college years and was introduced to the love of my life while volunteering at a VA hospital. Unfortunately, criminals are targeting our older adult population. The state Auditor’s office is working in conjunction with other state agencies to fight this battle and keep Montanans safe so we can preserve our generous culture.”
Nicol believes that the duties of State Auditor should absolutely not be taken lightly, and that if she is elected, she is interested in getting into office and taking a look over everything she can using years of professional experience to see what can be done to lower rates for Montanans with a team in place made up of people who truly care.
