Hear from the 2024 candidates for MT Attorney General

The candidates running for MT Attorney General are Austin Knudsen (R) & Ben Alke (D). Read on to hear their responses to the Exponent’s 2024 candidate questionnaire.

Candidates were given three weeks to respond to the questionnaire and were given word counts for each response. Not all of the candidates responded despite multiple emails and phone calls by Exponent staff, and by no means is this an exhaustive account of all of the policy positions and ideas supported by each candidate in a particular race. It is the Exponent’s hope, however, that this concise guide to candidates’ ideas in their own words can serve as a useful resource for voters to decide who they want to vote for. All photos were provided by the candidates’ respective campaigns.

Austin Knudsen (R)

Would you be able to provide a brief biography of yourself? 

Knudsen: Austin grew up on his family's farm near Bainville. He met his wife, Christie, while at MSU-Bozeman. They have two daughters and one son. He earned his law degree from the University of Montana. In 2010, he was elected as Representative for HD34. In 2020 he was elected Attorney General.

What are your top three priorities if elected, and how do you plan to address them?

Knudsen: First, I will continue to defend Montana against violent crime. Under my watch, violent crime has decreased, but we remain focused on public safety. I am proud to have helped pass House Bill 112, which increases penalties for sex traffickers and their patrons, gives prosecutors more tools to combat trafficking, and expands the definition of human trafficking. This law has intensified our efforts against the sexual abuse of children and other victims. Second, we have all seen the impact of fentanyl on our communities, and we are committed to protecting our state from this scourge. We have increased penalties for fentanyl distribution and launched a life-saving program to improve access to naloxone kits in schools, aiming to prevent fentanyl-related deaths. Finally, I will also continue to protect Montanans from federal overreach and corporate threats that jeopardize our jobs, livelihoods and way of life.

Why should MSU students, faculty and staff vote for you? 

Knudsen: Montana is a beautiful place. It is called the last best place for a reason. I want to keep it a safe and prosperous home for families to raise children, find good jobs, and live fulfilling lives. As your Attorney General, my top priority is to defend Montana against violent crime and ensure our communities are safe so that they can safely raise their families. We’ve seen a reduction in crime under my leadership, but our work isn't finished. I will continue to protect women's sports so we can keep our Montana values. I will continue to combat fentanyl so together we can save lives from the destruction that fentanyl is unleashing on so many of our children. Lastly I will continue to defend Montana from any threats to our way of life whether it is from a corporation or our federal government so Montanans can thrive.

Ben Alke (D)

Before press time, Alke declined to participate in the Exponent’s 2024 Election Edition.