Juneau holds a law degree from the University of Montana and a master's degree in education from Harvard University. She has twice been elected Montana’s superintendent of public instruction, and her time in that statewide office has been marked by tremendous success in raising graduation rates, primarily because she identified Missoula’s Graduation Matters initiative as a good example and encouraged local districts to adopt a similar program, with her office providing helpful tools and information.

At the same time, Juneau has fought against federal policies that don’t fit Montana’s educational needs, such as No Child Left Behind, while also advocating for expanded college and career readiness opportunities.

She has also demonstrated thoughtful decision-making on Montana’s five-member Land Board, breaking from other Democrats on the board at times in order to ensure state lands remain protected in the future, while also giving the go-ahead for timber projects and additional public lands access.

That’s the kind of approach that just might get things done in Congress. If she uses her demonstrated skills to work across ideological divides, she might even be able to use her high profile to break through the gridlock.