Election 2020: Braxton Mitchell House District 3

Braxton Mitchell, House District 3

Braxton Mitchell, Republican candidate for House District 3

Age: 20

Occupation: Works at the family business, Vandevanter Meats -Montana Jerky Company

Education: Graduated from Columbia Falls High School, attended Flathead Valley College for two years. Mitchell notes he’s a life-long Montanan and the only candidate for House District 3 born and raised in Montana.

“I grew up in Columbia Falls, and have always worked for the family business. I understand how to run a small business and make things work, that’s what I plan to do in Helena as your conservative voice. I have always been interested and followed the political scene here at the local level and nationally.

“In Helena we need voices of all ages, backgrounds, and especially born and bread Montanan’s. One of the best parts about Montana politics is we look aside from parties and tend to support born and raised Montana candidates. I look forward to going to Helena and working with both sides for solutions and working with future Gov. Greg Gianforte and supporting his ‘Montana Comeback Plan.’” Mitchell said he does not support Medicaid expansion and that it wasn’t a compromise between the two parties when it first passed.

“Medicaid Expansion was not an area of compromise – rather it was a prime example of the backroom deals between politicians and special interest groups. This bill carried the largest fiscal note in Montana history. Thankfully, Sen. Dee Brown of Hungry Horse was able to pass an amendment which provides a sunset. Taxpayerfunded abortion and ‘disincentivizing’ able-body, working age adults from working are just two the fundamental flaws in this bill. An area of compromise I foresee is legislators coming together to pass legislation to support our trade and technical schools. Which is supported by Gianforte. People with these types of degrees are often able to enter the workforce making a wage that can support a family, while providing an adequate workforce to grow our economy,” he said.

Mitchell said he was also “100 percent” against a sales tax and would not support one.

He said he also opposed an annual legislative session instead of the current biannual session.

“The 90-day session every two years works perfectly for Montana,” he said.

On the state’s allocation of CARES Act funding, he was critical of Gov. Steve Bullock’s efforts.

“Administration of this federal aid has demonstrated a total failure of leadership on behalf of the governor. The governor has failed to administer much-needed aid as it was intended by the federal government. CARES Act money was intended to provide immediate relief. The governor has held onto most of the money to this day. He has even failed to distribute money he promised to our tribes. The federal aid package was specific as to how it was supposed to be used. That is not necessarily a matter for the state legislature to decide. This money should have been distributed immediately upon receipt for its intended purposes. Unfortunately, it is a habit of the current governor’s administration to prioritize his campaign contributors and special interests over Montanans,” he said.

When asked about budget priorities, Mitchell noted he has several.

“Montana was already diving off a fiscal cliff long before the coronavirus hit. During the last couple sessions, more than 40% of our state budget came from federal dollars. Much of this bloat came from the Department of Health and Human Services and the governor turning the general fund into a slush fund. Additionally, lawsuits from dark money environmental groups are threatening our coal industry which funds our schools, parks, libraries, and infrastructure. If we are going to be on a path to a responsible budget, we must cut waste from our bloated state agencies like DPHHS and the Department of Administration. Montana has a government that it does not need and cannot afford.

“Furthermore, I will continue to fight the illegal Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Water Compact which threatens to cripple our families and destroy nearly every sector of our economy not just in the Flathead, but in every corner of the state,” he said.

On public lands, Mitchell said he supported the proposed Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area.

“I fully support the creation of the new Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area. It keeps open many acres and miles of public access along the Flathead River and safe habitat for grizzlies, whitetail deer, and elk,” he said.

He also said there was no case where public (federal) lands should be sold or transferred to state or private ownership. “Our local economy and high rates of tourism in the summer here in House District 3 and across Montana rely on our public lands. Thanks to President Trump’s economy we’re seeing record amounts of spending from tourists here in the summer, even with the pandemic. But, our public lands shouldn’t be political, and should be managed by Montanans,” he said. The GOP has said it opposes socialism and socialist programs. When asked what he opposes, specifically and what worries you as a member of the Republican Party, he answered as such: “I am a proud capitalist. I believe strongly in our free market system. A full on socialist takeover in Montana would be scary, and unfortunately we’re seeing it begin. Medicaid expansion was perhaps the largest socialist program ever passed in Montana. I am also concerned about the dark money pouring into the state to support Democrat candidates who support taking away our Second Amendment rights.

“Out-of-state and foreign radicals like Tom Steyer and George Soros are investing heavily in electioneering in Montana and supporting groups which litigate to implement their ideology since they cannot pass their socialist agenda through ballot initiatives,” he said.

When Mitchell’s not working, he said he enjoys going to Columbia Falls sporting events fishing, hunting, shooting, and adventuring in our never-ending public lands.

You can read more online at his Facebook page, Facebook. com/BraxtonMT BraxtonForMontana.com.