Raph Graybill credits his children for making him a better person. 

“My kids have expanded my sense of love in the world,” he told us. “Now that I’m a father, I look at everyone as having been someone’s kid. I’m now a little bit more empathetic, a little bit more compassionate.” 

Empathy and compassion are two characteristics that define a great leader. And, it seems, on paper at least, that Graybill has been cultivating his leadership skills from a young age. When you look at his resume, it’s a remarkable story. One that catapults a student from Great Falls High School into prestigious learning institutions such as Columbia University, Oxford University (on a Rhodes Scholarship) and then onto Yale Law School. Yet, this decorated student and professional, still relatively young in his career, finds himself back in the Treasure state. 

We were curious. How did his upbringing in Great Falls shape his path and then ultimately bring him home? 

A ‘Montana Kid’

‍Graybill describes Great Falls as a place where everyone starts on an even playing field, a value he says shaped both his personal life and career. “There’s this magic in Montana … where it doesn’t matter how rich you are, it doesn’t matter who your parents are, it doesn’t matter [your] background,” he said. 

Growing up, he saw how diverse backgrounds and perspectives came together in his community. This lived experience, he said, laid the foundation for his dedication to service and community – a foundation that has continued to guide him, even after living in major cities nationwide and abroad.

When asked who from his youth has had an impact on him, he mentions those who inspire him to lead with integrity and empathy. His journalism teacher at Great Falls High School, had a particularly significant influence on him. “Linda Ballew … was my journalism teacher and taught me how to write quickly and write well,” he said, adding that writing has been a vital skill in all his work. But Ballew’s influence extended beyond writing; she also fostered a strong sense of service. “The sense of service that came from her wasn’t about power. It wasn’t about your name being in the lights,” Graybill recalls. “It was about being part of a community, getting  things from that community and giving back to it.”

Graybill’s values were also shaped by his church community. He remembers, “pastors at church growing up were really influential for me in forming values that were about community and taking care of your neighbors and trying to see the best in people.” 

These principles left a lasting impression on him, one that he carried with him even as he stepped into bigger, more complex environments.

“There’s something about Great Falls that really humbles you,” he reflects. “You grow up alongside people from all walks of life and that doesn’t just prepare you for work, it prepares you to understand people.”

As a young adult, Graybill attended college in New York City, followed by time studying abroad. It was a stark contrast to his experiences growing up in Great Falls. 

“I met people who’d gone to elite private schools where everything was a competition,” he recalls. “It was all about who you knew, who could get ahead. In Great Falls, it wasn’t like that at all. Everyone here gets a fair shake.” 

Those experiences strengthened his commitment to Montana’s inclusive and unpretentious culture. “Living in big cities opened my eyes to just how special Montana is,” Graybill said. “We don’t have this divide where people only associate with others in the ‘right circles.’ It’s a true community here, and that’s worth fighting to protect.”

Montana Magic

When Graybill returned to Montana, he brought with him a renewed appreciation for what he calls “Montana magic,” the belief that hard work, kindness and commitment are what matter most. 

“After seeing different parts of the world, it was clear to me that this is where I wanted to raise my family. I wanted my kids to grow up with the same Montana values that shaped me,” he shares. 

Whether he’s teaching his children to fish at Sheep Creek, a tradition passed down from his father and grandfather, or taking them to ski Showdown Montana, Graybill says he’s deeply invested in preserving the lifestyle he grew up with.

Graybill on Protecting Montana’s Future

‍“The courts help protect rights, but if we want a Montana that values freedom and dignity, we have to do more than just react,” he reflects. For Graybill, what guides him is “what’s right for the people.”

The Busse-Graybill campaign platform addresses issues that he believes are essential to Montana’s identity. Affordable housing, supporting public schools, and protecting individual rights are at the core of his mission. His experiences in the courtroom fighting for citizens’ privacy rights against state overreach reinforced his belief that legal action alone isn’t enough. 

Running for Lieutenant Governor isn’t about political ambition for Graybill; it’s about preserving the Montana he’s always loved. “This state’s values are worth protecting. I’ll do everything I can to make sure Montana remains a place where everyone has a fair shot and a community to lean on,” he said. 

With deep roots in Montana and a vision for its future, Graybill is committed to ensuring that the Montana magic he treasures is around for generations to come.

Fun Facts about Graybill the Person, Not the Politician:

• Halloween Spirit: Yes, he does dress up for Halloween. This year, he and his wife got a babysitter so they could dress as pumpkins and attend a weekend Halloween party with friends. (The rest of the family will be pumpkins too … except for their middle child who will be a ghost). 
• Favorite Hometown Meal: The now-closed Burger Master. “I stomp my feet that I can no longer order a Green River Shake!” Graybill laments. 
• Local eats: Now, his go-to meal is enjoyed at the 3-D Mongolian Grill in Black Eagle. You can also find him at Luna Coffee, Al Banco (where the interview took place) and Fifth and Wine in Great Falls. 
• Big City Experience: During college at Columbia University, Graybill got a taste of New York City’s fast pace by working for the NYPD, experiencing “a totally different slice of New York” and gaining a new respect for law enforcement.
• Full Circle: Graybill likes to take his kids to play at Gibson Park, where he himself spent time as a child running around. 
• Favorite Ski Hill: Showdown Montana of course!

‍The Great Falls Edit features people from Great Falls who are now farther afield doing interesting things (like Brian Spencer, and Tessa Millhollin). Do you know someone who should be featured? Let us know!