Mark French was born in Missoula to life long high school sweethearts, Dean and Bob French. The youngest of five sons, he was raised on the family ranch near Paradise, where he learned how to work, and to have fun doing it. Strong family, community and civic duty was emphasized. After graduating from High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Montana State University (1987). He did his medical internship at Duke University School of Medicine (1989). He currently enjoys employment at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains, as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

Mark has been married for 23 years to his wife, Katy. They are parents to five awesome children - the oldest of which received the honors of an Eagle Scout and has been accepted to attend Montana State University this fall. Katy has her degree in Chemical Engineering and currently, with Mark's assistance, engineers/manages the educations of their children. She is a dynamic personality, wearing many civic hats in the community and is the heart beside her husband.

Mark's involvement in the community include being a Boy Scout leader, 4-H shooting sports leader, Middle School Basketball and Track Coach, Gideon, School Board member, steering committee member for the current local conservative movement and an Elder at the Plains Bible Chapel. He also manages his family's farming and ranching activities, producing and harvesting approximately 800 tons of certified organic hay annually. The family maintains a small herd of beef cattle and a couple of milk cows providing a work ethic and fresh milk for the family. Mark and his family hunt and fish as often as work and weather allows. His sons think they are better hunters than he is, and his wife thinks she is a better shot. He emphasizes being in good physical condition allowing a full life to be lived.

Mark's morality is a result of his choosing to follow the prompting of God via the Holy Bible in June of 1993, allowing Jesus Christ to be Lord of his life. He believes that dependence on power greater than himself is essential for loyal political service. Threats, bribery and corruption are not as effective on a person that does not fear death and is accountable to the one who is in control of life itself. He believes that Freedom and Liberty for all, must be more important than life.

Mark's philosophy for government is simple. The ideals that formed our government in the late 1700's placed the power of the government in the hands of the people through the Constitution, making governing very simple. The document is understandable and complete. All decisions must be based on the document. He believes that "all men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Mark believes that government is good and essential and is instituted among men to "secure these rights, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."