HOLLAND, VALYNDA

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
State Senate
District:
11
Political Affiliation:
Democrat

Survey

Response Legend

  • SSStrongly Supports
  • SSupports
  • OOpposes
  • SOStrongly Opposes
  • *Comment
  • −Declined to respond
  • †Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Public School Funding in Montana is at an inadequate level. SS* I believe public school funding in Montana is inadequate because many districts struggle to meet basic needs despite increases in taxes intended to support education. We need to ensure that funding is both sufficient and transparent. If taxpayers are contributing more, there must be clear accountability for where that money is going and whether it is truly reaching students and classrooms.
2. Parents should have greater freedom to choose how and where their children are educated, including options such as education savings accounts, tax credits, vouchers, or other school-choice mechanisms. SO* I support giving parents the ability to choose the best educational path for their children. However, I do not believe taxpayer dollars should be used to fund private education through vouchers or similar programs. Public funds should remain invested in strengthening our public school system, which serves the majority of students. Families who choose private education can still access scholarships and other private funding options without diverting resources from public schools.
3. Parents should be allowed to homeschool their children without additional state regulation O* I support the right of parents to homeschool their children, but I do not believe it should occur without any oversight. There should be reasonable standards in place to ensure that homeschooled students receive a well-rounded education and do not fall behind academically. This is not about restricting parents, but about protecting children's right to a quality education and future opportunities. I oppose banning Critical Race Theory in Montana public schools because it is not widely taught in K–12 education to begin with, making such bans unnecessary. More importantly, students benefit from learning about systemic inequality and the historical and institutional factors that have shaped society. Rather than restricting topics, we should focus on providing accurate, well-rounded education that encourages critical thinking and understanding.
4. Curricula based on Critical Race Theory (CRT) should be prohibited in Montana public schools SO
5. Comprehensive sex education should be taught in public elementary schools, beginning as early as kindergarten. SS* I support age-appropriate comprehensive education beginning in early elementary school, but it should focus on teaching children about boundaries, consent, and safe versus unsafe touch. This kind of education is essential for protecting children and helping them understand their own safety. More advanced topics, such as safe sex practices, should be introduced later in high school. This approach ensures that children receive the right information at the right time.
6. Montana’s income taxes are too high. S
7. Montana’s property taxes are too high SS* Montanans are feeling squeezed from every direction- housing, healthcare, and taxes. We need a system that actually reflects what people can afford. The problem isn't just tax rates - it's that rising property values are driving up tax bills faster than people's incomes. That's how people get priced out of their own homes. If people are paying more, they deserve to know exactly where that money is going- and that it's working for them.
8. Montana’s corporate taxes are too high SO* The question isn't just whether corporate taxes are too high—it's whether our tax system is competitive, fair, and actually supporting job growth without shifting the burden onto working families. We can support a tax system that encourages Montana businesses to grow and ensures corporations pay their fair share. Those goals aren't mutually exclusive.
9. The Second Amendment protects the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms for self-defense. SS
10. Montanans should not be discriminated against or treated differently based on their vaccination status. S* I support the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms for self-defense, as protected by the Second Amendment. This right has been affirmed through both the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings. Responsible gun ownership is a fundamental liberty, and individuals should have the ability to protect themselves and their families.People should not face discrimination in everyday life because of their vaccination status—but we also have to recognize that certain high-risk settings may require reasonable health and safety standards to protect others.
11. Climate change is a serious problem that requires increased government regulation. SS
12. Environmental regulations in Montana are currently too restrictive. SO* Climate change is a real and growing challenge, but the solution isn’t just more regulation—it’s smart, targeted policies that protect our environment while also supporting economic growth and local communities.Montanans understand Montana best. We need solutions that reflect our communities, not one-size-fits-all mandates.
13. Abortion should be illegal at all stages of pregnancy. SO* I oppose banning abortion at all stages because reproductive healthcare is complex and deeply personal. Decisions should be made between a patient and their doctor—not the government. It's also important to recognize that terms like 'abortion' include miscarriages, which are not a choice and require appropriate medical care. Policies need to reflect medical reality and protect both patient health and autonomy.
14. Abortion should be legal only in the early stages of pregnancy and restricted after a specific point, except when necessary to save the life of the mother. SO* I oppose limiting abortion to only early stages of pregnancy because these decisions are complex and often tied to medical circumstances that cannot be predicted early on. Restrictions based on arbitrary timelines don't reflect the realities patients and doctors face. Ultimately, decisions about pregnancy should remain between a woman and her healthcare provider, not the government. I support keeping abortion legal at all stages because reproductive healthcare decisions are complex and deeply personal. These decisions should be made by a woman in consultation with her doctor—not by the government. Broad restrictions often fail to account for medical realities and can interfere with necessary care, especially when the term 'abortion' is used so broadly in both law and medicine.
15. Abortion should remain legal at all stages of pregnancy, without restriction. SS
16. Individuals and organizations should be allowed to opt out of abortion-related mandates, if those mandates violate their religious or moral convictions. SO* I oppose allowing individuals or organizations to opt out of abortion-related mandates when they interfere with access to legal medical care. While people have the right to their personal religious or moral beliefs, those beliefs should not be used to restrict someone else's healthcare decisions. The separation of church and state exists to prevent exactly that kind of interference. I support physician-assisted suicide because individuals facing terminal illness should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and end-of-life care. This is about dignity, compassion, and reducing unnecessary suffering. With appropriate safeguards, including mental health evaluations and medical oversight, this option can provide relief not only for patients but also for their families.
17. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal in Montana. SS
18. Biological males who identify as transgender should be allowed to compete in women’s and girl's athletic competitions. SO* We need policies that both respect transgender individuals and ensure fairness in women's sports. That may mean exploring different competition categories or guidelines, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
19. Medical procedures intended to change a minor’s sex or gender should be prohibited. SS* I support delaying irreversible medical procedures until adulthood, while ensuring that minors receive appropriate mental health support and medical guidance. This approach prioritizes both safety and well-being.
20. Same-sex couples should be permitted to adopt children. SS* I support allowing same-sex couples to adopt because the ability to build a family should not be limited by who someone loves. The government has no place interfering in personal relationships or determining who is allowed to become a parent. What matters most is whether a child is placed in a safe, loving, and supportive home.
21. State and local nondiscrimination laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the same manner as race, religion, and national origin. SS* I strongly support expanding nondiscrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Everyone deserves equal protection under the law, and no one should face discrimination based on who they are or who they love. While the government should ultimately stay out of personal lives, these protections are necessary to ensure that vulnerable individuals are not denied basic rights and opportunities.
22. Montana’s marriage laws should be revised to reflect the U.S. Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage. SS* Montana should revise its marriage laws to fully reflect the legalization of same-sex marriage and ensure equal recognition under state law. The government should not have a role in deciding who people can love or marry. Denying same-sex couples the same legal recognition and benefits as other couples is unequal and unjust. Updating state law is a necessary step to ensure fairness and consistency.
23. Objective moral truths exist and should inform laws and public policy, rather than shifting cultural preferences. SO
24. Government should be limited in scope, with most decisions best made by individuals, families, and local communities rather than centralized authorities. S
25. Homosexuals and transgender people should be allowed to adopt children: SS
26. Personal responsibility and self-governance are more effective at solving social problems than expanded government programs: O
27. Parents—not government institutions—are the primary authority responsible for the education and moral formation of their children: SO* I believe laws and public policy should evolve as society grows and our understanding improves. If we rely solely on fixed moral truths, we risk limiting progress and failing to address people's needs today. Policies should reflect who we are as a society now, not just what was believed in the past.I believe the government should be limited in scope, but not absent. Individuals and communities should have the freedom to make their own decisions, but government still plays a critical role in ensuring equal rights, protections, and fairness. Until all individuals are treated equally under the law, government oversight remains necessary. At the same time, the government must be accountable and provide real value to its citizens—it should not take from people without giving back in meaningful ways.I support allowing LGBTQ+ individuals and couples to adopt because the ability to build a family should not be determined by sexual orientation or gender identity. The government should not restrict adoption based on who someone is. What matters most is whether a child is placed in a safe, stable, and loving home, not the identity of the parents.While personal responsibility and self-governance are important, they are not sufficient to address broader social problems on their own. Many individuals face systemic barriers such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and housing instability. Programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and housing assistance play a critical role in providing stability and opportunity. Until we address inequality and eradicate poverty, these programs remain necessary to support individuals and communities.While parents play a vital role in their children's upbringing and education, society also has a responsibility to ensure that all children receive a comprehensive and well-rounded education. Without standards, some children may not receive the necessary academic foundation to succeed. The government should establish and maintain a baseline of educational standards to ensure that every child has access to quality learning and future opportunities.