State Auditor - Troy Downing

TROY DOWNING (R)

• Businessman
• Combat veteran
• Successful career in commercial real estate

Why did you decide to run for State Auditor?

I grew up poor and built my American dream because of the awesome opportunities we share as Americans. It is important to me to give back-- to feel I deserve the amazing opportunities, as an American, that have been afforded me. After 9/11 I served our country in the United States Airforce ultimately doing two combat tours to Afghanistan. I’ve been active in serving our community and veterans ever since. I’m running for Auditor to continue serving in a role I know I can make a difference and put my business and real world experiences to work. The office of State Auditor (Commissioner of Insurance and Securities) is where I can put this experience to work for Montana families.  I’ve built a nationwide insurance company, I understand the regulatory aspects of the industry while also understanding the industry from a consumer's perspective. This helps me uniquely understand the importance of this office being a consumer protection agency while also knowing how to allow for more competition and opening the doors to lower prices and opportunities for businesses to thrive. On the Securities side, I’ve been licensed under FINRA and understand how these industries work. Unlike my opponent I won’t need “on the job” training--I can start working for Montanans on day one.

Why should MSU students vote for you? 

MSU is a land grant university. Millions of dollars a year are generated for education through our state trust lands. As Auditor, I will be one of five members of the Land Board that manage these lands. If mismanaged, our schools may see massive budget shortfalls. The land board supports the backbone of the Montana economy through grazing leases, ag leases, and natural resource development. If mismanaged, future generations may no longer be able to utilize these lands and the funds they generate.

I am the only candidate in this race with real plans for our school land sections managed by the Montana Board of Land Commissioners. “Multiple use and sustained yield” is how we maximize funds, protect our lands as true stewards, and ensure future generations have access.

As far as I know, I am the first candidate in the history of the state to form a Land Board Advisory Committee to ensure that all voices are heard.

Students don’t want to leave this great state to find work. I’m the only candidate with plans to make sure they don’t have to.

What is your top priority regarding higher education in the state of Montana?

As a former research scientist at the Courant Institute of Mathematics and a former teacher at NYU, education is incredibly important to me and a meaningful part of my background.

My top priority for Montana schools will be to maximize the funding for the school system through my seat on the Board of Land Commissioners. As one of five members on the land board, the State Auditor has the opportunity to not only help industries that provide thousands of jobs for Montanans i.e ranching, farming, and natural resource development but it also works to maximize funding from our school sections solely to support public education.

How do you plan to get insurance costs down for Montana residents?

Competition, choices, and transparency. We need to make Montana more business friendly for insurance companies looking to do business in the state. As Commissioner, I will make sure we protect consumers from bad actors, but there's also a lot we can do to encourage competition. This will drive consumer choices up and prices down. Transparency is also a great catalyst for educating consumers and better understanding where their premium dollars are being spent. I want to see transparency in Pharma, hospital billing, and all things government.  As Insurance Commissioner, I will work to reduce regulatory red-tape so that more insurance companies enter the Montana market. More competition means lower prices and better service.

In your own words, what is the role and responsibility of the Montana State Auditor?

First of all its a consumer protections agency, it's there to ensure Montana families aren’t taken advantage of and to resolve conflicts on behalf of the states insurance and financial services consumers. Secondly the Auditor is the regulatory office for the Insurance and Securities industries in Montana. It oversees two complicated and highly regulated industries. It is important to have a commissioner who has relevant experience to understand how these industries work. I am the only candidate in this race with the experience to start working for Montana families on day one. Third, the Auditor is a member  of the Land Board. I will work to ensure Montana schools have the money they need while working to create high-paying Montana jobs.