Julie is a lifelong resident of South Dakota, born and raised near the Burke, South Dakota area.  Julie is one of twelve children born to Earl and Jamie Drey.  Growing up on the family farm, Julie learned early in life the values of working hard and working together.  Her parents taught her the value of a good education, and using that education to better not only herself but those around her.  That is why Julie chose public service early on and continues that service today.

Julie and her siblings are very close and even though they are spread throughout the upper midwest and on the east coast, they keep in contact and continue to share the values and love for each other that their parents instilled in them.  Julie's siblings are her greatest support stem throughout her life and her career.

Julie married Bart Bartling and they have been successful in owning an agricultural based business near the Burke area, as well as farming near the home that they have made east of Burke, SD.  Agriculture has been the Bartlings mainstay of livelihood, actively farming very close to where Bart and Julie both grew up.

Julie also serves as the Executive Director for the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Agriculture Mortgage Corporation as presidential appointee. 

Bart and Julie are the proud parents of four wonderful and successful children and now enjoy the wonder and love of six beautiful grandchildren.  These are truly the great and rewarding years of the Bartlings lives.

Julie first ran for public office in 1982 and was elected to the office of Gregory County Auditor - a position that she held for 18 years prior to running for the state legislature in 2000.  Julie valued the confidence of her constituents from the first day in office and continues to do so today as she completes her 10th year in the SD Legislature.