I'm Melissa Nikolakakos, a Republican candidate running for House District 20 in Great Falls. I'm an educator, 4th generation Montanan, mom of four, and twenty-year military spouse. I pride myself in serving others.

I'm running for office to bring common-sense solutions to Helena and create a better community for our kids and families. Born and raised in small town Montana I want to ensure those time-tested values are at the front and center of our legislative process. 

A quality education for our children with deep parental involvement is my passion. I've served as a pre-school president, led with the "Raising Readers" Program, serve as a Girl Scout Service Unit Leader, and have served countless times as a PTA president. 

Inflation has surpassed school funding formula caps and we must address the issue this legislative session. We should also bolster the TEACH Act to boost starting teacher pay while continuing to invest in promising trades and technical education. I'm committed to our community/kids and will work tirelessly every day in Helena to that end.

We face many challenges in today's political climate. Property taxes, inflation, and out of control housing costs are driving families from their homes and real reform is needed now. Fiscal responsibility and low regulation are the centerpieces to a strong economy, the backbone of a healthy opportunity driven society. 

Next legislative session I will fight for a homestead exemption with the goal of reducing property taxes on primary residences by 15-20% shifting some tax burden to out of state interests who don't pay Montana taxes.    

There's much more but the simple fact is that today both parties are failing our people. 

It's time to elect every-day Montanans who want to civilly solve problems rather than create constant conflict and chaos. I hope to earn your vote to serve our community to that end.