Sherry Essman
In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, Yellowstone County Commissioners selected Sherry Essman to assume the Republican House Seat (Dist. 52) vacated with the resignation of Rep. Jimmy Patelis.
Last Thursday commissioners interviewed Essman and Nelly Nicol who were among three candidates put forward by the Yellowstone County Republican Central Committee for consideration. One of the candidates withdrew before the interviews were held.
Patelis resigned in order to accept a six-year appointment by Governor Gianforte to serve on the Montana Parole Board. Patelis assumed his position as state legislator on January 4, 2021.
In their interviews both Essman and Nicol said that they would campaign to be elected to the position during the November 2022 election.
Commissioner John Ostlund made the motion to select Essman, saying that both candidates were good, and that they could not make a mistake.
Commissioner Don Jones agreed but said that what put Essman over the top was her close connection to the community she would represent.
Commissioner Denis Pitman said that it was obvious that both candidates had a passion for the position and thanked them for “putting their name out there.”
The commissioners said that they wanted to swear Essman into office as soon as possible because there are events unfolding for the state legislature in which they want her to be able participate in and vote upon.
In the interview Essman told commissioners that she has always been involved with the south side community where she grew up. She said that she was very familiar with the community and wanted to be part of helping it “flourish and prosper.” She said that she has followed the legislature closely for 14 years. She has testified at hearings and followed specific legislation closely. Essman is the wife of Jeff Essman who served as state Senator, having been in 2005 (SD-28) and then elected twice.
Nelly Nicol ran for election for State Auditor in 2020, losing in the primary to Matt Rosendale. She said that she has helped other candidates get elected and lobbied during the last session.
Both candidates identified crime as one of the most important issues confronting Yellowstone County.
They were each asked if they were to introduce a bill today what would it be about. Essman said that she would introduce a bill that would make it easier for parents to send their children to a school of their choice.
Nicole said she would introduce a bill that would make sure that parents had a choice about whether their children are vaccinated. She said she thought schools should “step out” of the picture in that decision.
