Montana PSC President James Brown Announces for State Auditor

Public Service Commission President James Brown has filed papers with the Secretary of State to become Montana’s State Auditor.  The current Auditor, Troy Downing, recently announced his plans to run for the Republican nomination in Montana’s 2nd Congressional District.

In announcing his campaign for State Auditor Brown said, “The State Auditor of Montana is charged with several important responsibilities.  The Auditor serves as the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, a member of the Board of Land Commissioners, and is a key regulatory official with important law enforcement responsibilities to protect Montana consumers.  I feel my background as the head of a regulatory agency, a licensed attorney representing agriculture producers and small businesses, and as a licensed insurance producer uniquely qualifies me to serve as Montana’s next State Auditor.”   

Brown speaking of his years as PSC President Brown said, “It has been an honor to serve the people of Montana as President of the Public Service Commission.  I helped lead a comprehensive reform effort at the PSC that has dramatically improved the agency’s governance, accountability, and transparency.  Today, the agency is a strategically focused model of good governance with a strong leadership and management team in place.”

Looking forward, he added, “I am eager for the opportunity to apply my experience and energies to the State Auditor’s Office.  In coming to the Auditor’s Office, I don’t foresee the same type of challenges I faced when I came to the PSC.  My friend Troy Downing leaves the Auditor’s Office in a strong position to succeed going forward. The challenge will be to continue and accelerate that forward progress and to remain vigilant to protect the interests of all Montanans.        

Brown, a fourth-generation Montanan from Dillon, was elected to represent Public Service Commission District 3, which covers much of Southwestern and Central Montana, in 2020 and was elected by his peers to serve Commission President in January 2021.  Prior to joining the Public Service Commission, Brown was an attorney in private practice. If elected, Brown has pledged to close his law practice prior to assuming the office of State Auditor.        

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