Lindeen was elected commissioner of securities and insurance, state auditor in November 2008. She successfully won re-election on November 6, 2012. She was term-limited and did not seek re-election to the position in 2016. Instead, Lindeen campaigned for Montana secretary of state, but was defeated in the general election on November 8, 2016.

President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (2015)

In 2014, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners selected Lindeen to be the President of the NAIC. Her term began on January 1, 2015. The NAIC is made up of the insurance commissioners from each of the 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories. According to their website, the NAIC's purpose is to facilitate cooperation among the state insurance regulators, enabling them to "establish standards and best practices, conduct peer review, and coordinate their regulatory oversight."

Excellence in Consumer Advocacy Award (2013)

In 2013, the NAIC's Consumer Representatives awarded Lindeen the Excellence in Consumer Advocacy Award for "her work as a strong voice for consumer protection and her dedication in maintaining states’ rights in insurance regulation."

First elected in 1998, Lindeen served four terms in the Montana House of Representatives. She represented District 43, an agricultural district covering four counties from Billings to Miles City.