Ann Bukacek

Ann Bukacek

Republican Party

Montana Public Service Commission District 5

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Brad Johnson

Compensation

Base salary

$114,653

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

University of Illinois, 1982

Medical

University of Illinois, 1986

Personal

Birthplace

Chicago, Ill.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Medical doctor

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Ann Bukacek (Republican Party) is a member of the Montana Public Service Commission, representing District 5. She assumed office on January 2, 2023. Her current term ends on January 4, 2027.

Bukacek (Republican Party) ran for election to the Montana Public Service Commission to represent District 5. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Bukacek completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Ann Bukacek was born in Chicago, Illinois. Bukacek's professional experience includes working as a medical doctor. She earned a bachelor's degree and an M.D. from the University of Illinois in 1982 and 1986, respectively.

Elections

2022

See also: Montana Public Service Commission election, 2022

General election

General election for Montana Public Service Commission District 5

Ann Bukacek defeated John Repke in the general election for Montana Public Service Commission District 5 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ann Bukacek (R)	56.5	54,078
		John Repke (D)	43.5	41,572

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 95,650
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 5

John Repke defeated Kevin Hamm in the Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 5 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Repke	53.7	8,820
		Kevin Hamm	46.3	7,599

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,419
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 5

Ann Bukacek defeated Derek Skees, Joe Dooling, and Dean Crabb in the Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 5 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ann Bukacek	31.2	11,233
		Derek Skees	31.0	11,146
		Joe Dooling	29.0	10,442
	Submit photo	Dean Crabb	8.7	3,143

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,964
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ann Bukacek completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bukacek's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a board-certified internal medicine physician who has served Montana patients for over 30 years and own my business named Hosanna Health Care. I was voted Best Family Physician in Flathead County Montana the last three years in a row. In 2021 I placed in the category of best community Volunteer in the Flathead.

Having served in leadership roles for citizen advocacy since 2008, in my profession, I am also recognized as a leader—Memberships include Montana Medical Association Legislative Committee, American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, Fellow of the American College of Physicians Montana Chapter, ACP council member for 10 years, 2008 on a Steering Committee of the Coalition to Protect Patient Rights, I served on the Flathead County Health Board 1/2020 to 3/2022

In 2019, I received the ACP Laureate Award for commitment to excellence in medical care and service to my community and the ACP. 

I have been president of Montana Prolife Coalition since 2008 and am a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Montana Shooting Sports Association. I am a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association and the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Almost every vital component of our lives relies on access to energy and water. Keeping Montana energy-independent is key to keeping the lights on and the water running. Montana is abundant in natural power producing resources to match the needs of consumers even as the Montana population escalates. Unfortunately, over time, Montanans have had their access to these resources curtailed. The Public Service Commission alone cannot provide this protection, but through PSC’s work with the legislative body, attorney general and governor, I believe Montanan energy and water independence can be secured. I want to be part of that positive voice to protect all Montanans.
• The combination of business owner, old fashioned doctor and seasoned advocate for citizens is a great combination for the PSC position. As a business owner, I understand utility suppliers need to make a profit in order to continue to provide us utilities. In my practice, I learned to charge enough money to meet patient medical needs without pricing low-income patients out of good medical care. That provides me some preparation to make fair utility pricing decisions. I my medical practice and in all my positions of leadership, I am an advocate for the people and am in touch with people. I am in a good position to be fair and judicious in balancing the ledger between consumer and supplier. I will be an advocate for all Montanans.
• Having been involved with Montana legislators every session since 2009, I am familiar with the legislative process, have helped craft and draft bills, testified for or against bills and garnered legislative and citizen support for same. This experience and the development of good will and mutually respectful relationships with legislators will be a great benefit, especially in combination with my grassroots contact with citizens across the state. As a member of the PSC, I plan to work closely with the legislators sand notify citizens what is going on at PSC and the Legislature pertinent to their lives. In Montana, we have seen the impact of citizen involvement for bringing needed changes. I enjoy being a part of that process.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The most important to me of the PSC roles is their authority to regulate and oversee power monopolies and water utility districts. My passion for this position on PSC is proportional to my passion for keeping Montana energy independent and for being in a position to advocate for all Montanans in keeping power costs affordable and water available. To advocate for all requires an individual not be beholden to either environmentalist or monopolistic special interests. That’s me. Duty calls. My commitment is to make Montanans the #1 most important special interest group.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Public Service Commission regulates services critically important to Montanans such as keeping power costs affordable while keeping your lights on, water running, railroad and pipelines protected and garbage disposal.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

When I was seven or eight years old, my father taught me basis for true humility: that is, every good gift comes from God. (paraphrase of Scripture verse James 1: 17). Every ability, opportunity and achievement is a gift from God. This has been formative in my personal and professional life, and I gravitate to humble servant leaders like my father.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Elected and many, if not most, unelected government officials sign an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Humble, Oath-Keeping, servant leadership philosophy is most important for an elected official.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am confident I will be a successful officeholder based on intelligence, research and listening skills, humility, work ethic in joy in life.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I have a legacy of grassroots leadership in advocacy for citizens.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event I remember was the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. I was eleven years old. One of the reasons I remember this is that my parents were fans of Martin Luther King Jr, and at the moment the report came over the T.V., I was taking a Judo class in which I was the only non-African American.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible is my favorite book because it is a testimony of God's love, patience, grace and plans for mankind.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Give Me One More Shot" by Alabama

My favorite songs are Scripture Songs by Patti Vaillant, and they are stuck in my head, but there are no names to the songs, just the Scripture verses.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

I personally consider most important the PSC authority to regulate and oversee power monopolies and water utility districts.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Concerns about garbage collection monopolies (within the regulatory jurisdiction of the PSC) came to our attention. A small start up business was sued by one of the garbage collection monopolies, and we found out start up businesses have to get permission from the PSC and their local currently running competitor in order to get their business started.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

It is beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience with the political process to have some understanding of how it work, and important to have established mutually respectful relationships with legislators and other government office holders. A fresh look from someone with political experience who is not thoroughly ensconced in the system might be ideal.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

One of the most important skills is problems solving and decision making based on research, analytic and listening skills, and being in touch with field experts, other office holders and citizens alike. I have been studying medical literature for over 35 years, know how to analyze statistics, quality of study, facts and findings...and apply those to problem solving with my patients. I will do the same for PSC related material.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Montana Public Service Commission District 5

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Brad Johnson (R)	Montana Public Service Commission District 5 2023-Present	Succeeded by -