Lindsey Richtmyer
Broadwater County Commissioner
Hello! My name is Lindsey Richtmyer. I am in my fourth year as a Broadwater County Commissioner and am running for the 2026 Second Vice President of MACo.
My small family of 3 lives in Townsend near my husband’s family ranch. Broadwater County experienced unprecedented residential growth during and after COVID. I saw that the rapid changes affecting our small, rural, agricultural community demanded aggressive attention, energy, and ideas. My determination to get involved solidified when friends suggested I run for the commission. In just four years, I have been blessed to learn from so many incredible Commissioners, department leaders, legislators, and staff.
Like most commissioners and counties in Montana, in Broadwater we are navigating a multitude of new and changing issues. Land use rules, county planning, economic development, rural EMS and public safety funding needs, staffing shortages, aggressive property tax legislation, private property rights debates, resource and land conservation, parks and recreation development, solid waste disposal, public and volunteer engagement issues, transparent budgeting, anti local-government sentiment, and shifting state and federal policies (to name a few). It is always challenging, never boring, and I love doing it.
My unique journey includes a bachelor’s in journalism from UM, running a personal training business, and later completing an associate’s degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant. I worked in pediatric, inpatient, and outpatient physical therapy, and treated movement disorders in infants and toddlers, neurological conditions, and all varieties of orthopedic injuries. Working with people when they are vulnerable and often scared taught me to give grace, be authentic in my curiosity, to earn their confidence, and to engage with all types of personalities. Like physical therapy, I believe a passion for learning, problem solving, and creativity is crucial as a commissioner and in MACo leadership.
I have had the privilege to represent Broadwater County and MACo at the legislature and to work with and learn from groups and leaders representing all walks of Montana life. I currently serve on 5 MACo Committees:
- Community, Economic Development & Labor, Vice Chair
- Public Lands
- Resolution & Legislative
- Tax, Budget, & Finance
- Conference Planning
I am also proud to represent Montana as an appointed member of the National Association of Counties Community, Economic Development, Workforce, & Labor Committee.
As MACo Second VP, I believe my role is to continue soaking up knowledge and leadership from the commissioners around and ahead of me. My goal is to be a strong and vocal advocate for all Montana counties and to represent and fight for our local government interests at the state and federal levels.
I want to serve Montana’s counties with energy, enthusiasm, and dedication. I would appreciate your vote for Second Vice President at the Annual Conference in September.
Thank you,
Lindsey Richtmyer
Broadwater County Commissioner