Former Executive Director
Montana Public Service Commission
Meet the Candidate
About David
Sanders
A fourth-generation Montanan bringing
proven leadership home.
His Story
About David Sanders
David Sanders is a fourth-generation Montanan, a third-generation U.S. Army veteran, and a proven executive leader who has spent his career in public service. His great-grandfather was an early Montana pioneer, his grandfather hailed from Stevensville, and his father was born in Darby — a family legacy of service that David carries forward in uniform and in life. David moved to Helena in 2022 to be closer to family, and today he lives there with his wife, Kathie.
Service to Montana
David served as Executive Director of the Montana Public Service Commission, where he worked alongside what he calls "outstanding professional public servants" to refocus the agency on its core mission — protecting Montana ratepayers. He went on to serve as Chief of Staff to Montana State Auditor James Brown.
Now he's running for PSC District 5 because he believes the commission needs experienced, steady leadership to hold out-of-state power companies accountable and keep Montana's energy affordable.
National Leadership
Before coming home to Montana, David built decades of senior executive experience in Washington. He served as a member of the Senior Management Team at the U.S. Department of Transportation, where he rose to Acting Administrator of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation — one of DOT's operating administrations overseeing critical national infrastructure.
On Capitol Hill, he served as Staff Director of the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Education
David holds a degree in Economics and Philosophy from the College of William & Mary and studied at Cambridge University in England.
"The commission needs experienced, steady leadership to hold out-of-state power companies accountable and keep Montana's energy affordable."— David Sanders
Campaign Platform
Affordable, Accessible & Accountable
David Sanders will fight to make Montana's energy future and the Public Service Commission work for every Montanan — not just the utilities.
Affordable
Electric utility rates for Montana's monopoly, investor-owned utilities have increased by a whopping 39 percent in the last three years — more than twice the rate of inflation. David's opponent has voted for every single rate increase during that time and recently proposed an additional $16.3 million in rate increases that PSC staff and all other Commissioners refused to support. David will fight to keep energy bills manageable for Montana families and small businesses.
Accessible
Montana's aging energy infrastructure must be replaced and modernized, and our electrical grid made more safe, dependable, and resilient. The PSC must also be accessible to the public. At a recent PSC meeting, five senior citizens who drove from Missoula to Helena to offer public comment were initially turned away — while Commissioner Bukacek stood by doing nothing to protect their constitutional rights. After 30 minutes, the PSC sent a Montana Highway Patrol officer for "crowd control." David Sanders will always stand up for Montanans' right to be heard.
Accountable
Under Montana law, monopoly regulated utilities must be held accountable for every dollar they seek to charge Montana ratepayers — and that is the PSC's core job. The PSC must also be accountable to the people of Montana, ensuring that the laws set by the Legislature and the rules set by the Commission are enforced and all parties are in compliance, for the benefit of the people of the Treasure State.
Career at a Glance
Highlights
Chief of Staff
Montana State Auditor's Office
Acting Administrator
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, U.S. DOT
Staff Director
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Economic Policy & Trade
U.S. Army Officer
Active service 1981–1989
B.A. Economics & Philosophy
College of William & Mary · studied at Cambridge University
Fourth-Generation Montanan
Pioneer roots in Stevensville & Darby — home is Helena
Join the Campaign
Stand with David Sanders
David's lifetime of service — to Montana, to his country, and to the people he represents — has prepared him for exactly this moment. Support his campaign to bring experienced, principled leadership to the Public Service Commission.
Donate Today