In his free time, Matt Cohn takes tandem-bike trips with his wife, pedaling in unison to reach a destination -- including a 2,900-mile excursion from Maine to Florida.

After filing as a Democrat for the House District 82 race this week, Cohn said he would take to the Capitol the same spirit of cooperation he uses on those long journeys.

"A tandem teaches you how to listen," he said. "It really teaches you perseverance and working together for a common goal. That's the way I intend to conduct myself (if elected). I believe I can make a positive difference."

A retired state administrator with a long history of community service, Cohn, 57, has worked with legislators for the past two decades. His experience has yielded a number of relationships within the Capitol halls and an understanding of how the process works.

"I learned how things get done," Cohn said. "I learned the basis of good legislation getting passed is people working together to reach consensus.

"The way Montana moves forward is by people of different ideologies working together," he added.

No opponent from either party has yet filed for HD 82, which covers the west valley and Helena's west side.

While some have termed recent legislative sessions acrimonious, Cohn believes members of both parties can and do still reach across the aisle.

"I believe in the good nature of humans," he said, "and I believe that everyone is up there in the Legislature to try to make Montana a better place."

Cohn said he'll focus his efforts in the House to up Montanans' quality of life by supporting measures that improve education, the economy, the environment and health care and those that provide for sustainable development and energy conservation.

He largely declined to describe major policy goals, but said he supports incremental steps toward universal health-care coverage and measures to improve local governments' ability to manage growth.

"Realistically, a lot of candidates talk and say: 'I'm going to do this, that and the other.' In the heat of the Legislature, a lot of things happen," Cohn said. "I'm going to focus on things that affect our quality of life.

"I've been a problem-solver throughout my career," he added. "I'm not afraid to take on difficult issues. I'm willing to get involved and roll up my sleeves and try to get things done."

Cohn moved to Helena in 1978 and ran a wood-stove business and a restaurant. In 1988, he began working for the state Department of Commerce managing state trade offices in Japan and Taiwan. He moved up through Commerce's ranks, serving as the bureau chief for the state's International Trade Program and the director of Travel Montana.

He spent his last six years at the state working as the Montana State Fund's communications team leader before retiring in 2007.

His work led him to deal with Montana and foreign business owners, the Governor's Office, the press and every legislative session since 1988.

Cohn's community involvement in Helena stretches back more than a quarter-century. While operating his wood-stove business, in 1981 he served on a county air-quality committee and helped develop regulations to reduce air pollution from wood-burning sources.

He's also served on statewide groups dealing with wildlife and tourism issues, and co-chaired the city's Urban Wildlife Task Force, which last year recommended ways to reduce Helena's growing herd of mule deer.

Cohn is now in his second term as a Helena Citizens' Council representative and chairs Advantage Helena, a board working to develop a branding and marketing plan for the community.

He also serves with the Montana History Foundation, Adventure Cycling Association, Prickly Pear Land Trust, Growing Friends of Helena, the Holter Museum, Friends of the Myrna Loy, ExplorationWorks and Montana Conservation Voters.

Click here for more information about Cohn's campaign.

Reporter Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com