A stout human-rights activist and longtime Helena legislator has filed for the chance to once again represent the Queen City on the state Senate floor.

Democratic Sen. Christine Kaufmann filed for re-election to her Senate District 41 seat this week.

In an interview Friday, Kaufmann -- who for 17 years has served as director of the Montana Human Rights Network -- said she's running to again stand up for individual freedoms, equal rights and social-justice causes.

"To be in a position where I can try to advance social justice is critical to me," Kaufmann said. "It's an opportunity that I can give citizens of Helena to have their voices heard in the Legislature."

She served three terms in the Montana House and was elected to a fourth stint in 2006, but was appointed to take over for Ken Toole in the Senate when he won a seat on the Public Service Commission.

Kaufmann faces a primary challenge from Rep. Hal Jacobson, an old colleague who's reached the term limit for his House seat.

"I think it's good for Democrats to have choices, and I welcome Hal into this race," she said.

While both have similar voting records, Kaufmann said her forte is introducing bills that "push the envelope" on the status quo.

She's sponsored legislation to abandon the death penalty, create civil unions for same-sex couples and move the state toward universal health care. Those pushes have failed, but she said they're necessary debates.

"Even though their time hasn't come yet, I think it's helping create the momentum for incremental change," Kaufmann said.

Her major policy goals for the 2009 session include more efforts for universal health care, fair taxation, and continued encouragement of energy conservation and the development of alternative energy sources.

Kaufmann said a lack of action by the federal government to improve the health-care system shows her the effort must begin with the states, which "both can and ought to move forward with bold policies that bring about wholesale change."

"We need to get to the notion where we decide that health care is a human right," she added.

She sponsored a bill last year that would have moved Montana toward universal coverage in steps. The measure passed the Senate but died in the politically divided House.

"I think we have to have initiatives like that in order to push people and, I believe, create more room in the middle for some of these measured, step-by-step (changes)," she said.

She served on the Senate Taxation Committee last session and was appointed to an interim committee that studies state revenues. Kaufmann believes Montana's tax laws need to be revised to ease the burden on middle-class homeowners and ensure corporations pay their fair share.

Kaufmann, who served on the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee and is a member of the Environmental Quality Council, said she's opposed to the notion that coal power can be made "clean."

She wants to see Montana's creative capital directed toward something the state's residents know works -- energy conservation -- and the continued development of alternative resources like solar and wind power.

She said the University of Montana's environmental studies program helped push her toward social-justice activism, though those roots run much deeper.

"Through the church, I learned that we need to have a concept of being a citizen of the world, a responsible citizen ... and serve our fellow human beings," Kaufmann said. "I know sometimes that sounds trite, but I really do want to make an impact on the world. Sometimes you start in your corner of the world and try to make it better for all people."

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