Schlabach Announces Candidacy for HD 92

SEELEY LAKE - Duane "Cecil" Schlabach announced his candidacy for House District 92 as a Democrat. He filed Jan. 31, 2018 with Lee Boman as his Treasurer for the campaign.

Schlabach decided to run for HD 92 because he's concerned about the future of our great state of Montana. Through his professional and volunteer efforts, he has gained experience in the field of education and public lands. At the same time he also understands the economic challenges we currently face, which was evident in the Special Legislative Session this past year.

Promoting affordable housing and working for fiscally responsible economic growth in the district, while protecting the natural beauty of the region, is an integral part of the campaign. It is important that we provide a quality education for our children and provide them with opportunities to remain in the valley if they choose to do so.

Schlabach has built his life in Seeley Lake where he works as a middle school teacher in the local school system and spends his summer as an employee of the Rich Ranch.

Being raised in an Amish family, he was only allowed to attend public school until eighth grade. Due to his desire for education he left home at eighteen years of age and worked in the Swan Valley for Lion Creek Outfitters operated by Cecil Noble, which is where the nickname is derived. In 2000, he moved to Seeley Lake to work for the Rich Ranch as a backcountry guide in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

In 2004, he acquired his GED and then began attending the University of Montana in 2007 and graduated with two bachelor's degrees in History and English respectively. He is currently a teacher at Seeley Lake Elementary at the middle school level, which he has been doing since 2011.

Along with teaching English and History he also teaches a unit of civics, which includes a bi-annual trip to the state legislature in Helena as well as taking a trip to the nation's capitol in Washington D.C. every three years. He will graduate from the University of Montana this spring with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.  

Schlabach also currently serves on the Seeley Lake Community Council and has been a council member for the last four years. He believes the future of Montana lies in strengthening education, keeping public lands in public hands and promoting fiscally responsible economic growth.