Montana Secretary of State

Other Information

Throughout her career, Linda McCulloch has been an energetic and determined advocate for all Montanans. Elected Montana's first woman Secretary of State in November 2008, Linda is committed to ensuring that Montana's elections are fair and accurate and that Montana's businesses have the tools they need to grow and expand in a changing economy. Linda firmly believes civic engagement fuels a functioning democracy, and she's committed to increasing public participation in all levels of government.

A senior member of the State Board of Land Commissioners, Linda McCulloch has helped create rural jobs and generate more than $1 billion in revenue for Montana schools by overseeing the management of 5.2 million acres of school trust land. Her position on the five-member Board continues to secure sustainable natural resource conservation, responsible timber-harvesting and affordable use of state lands.

Linda's professional career consists entirely of public service, having previously served as a teacher, school librarian, legislator, and statewide elected Superintendent of Public Instruction.

During her two terms as State Superintendent, Linda helped boost funding for Montana schools, implement Indian Education for All, start Full-Time Kindergarten across the state, award honorary high school diplomas for war-veterans, launch the READ Montana! program, and advance a rural education perspective regarding the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Linda served three terms in the Montana House of Representatives, from 1995 to 2001. In 1999, she served as the Minority Caucus Leader and Vice-Chair of the House Education Committee. As a legislator, Linda served on the Judiciary, Highways & Transportation, Local Government, Education and House Rules Committees. Interim Committee assignments included Juvenile Justice & Mental Health, Indian Affairs, and Education & Local Government.

From 1995 to 2000, Linda was a Faculty Affiliate at the University of Montana and a recipient of the Mike and Maureen Mansfield Library Scholarship. As an active civic leader, Linda has served on numerous boards including the Board of Public Education, Board of Regents, Montana Library Commission, the MT Heritage Project, and the Advisory Council to the Montana Meth Project.

Linda holds M.A. and B.A. degrees in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Supervision of Library Media Programs from the University of Montana. She started her educational career in 1978 as a paraprofessional in Eastern Montana before teaching in schools in Western Montana.