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MONTANA HOUSE DISTRICT 76

State House Representative – the office of state representative serves in the Montana legislature’s lower house. There are 100 representatives who are elected from districts. Representatives are elected to 2-year terms. Representatives propose and vote on proposed laws during the legislative sessions that meet for 90 days in odd-numbered years, and provide oversight of state agencies and study issues through interim committees that meet between sessions. Representatives are limited to four consecutive 2-year terms.

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  • Candidate picture

    JOHN FITZPATRICK
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    ELENA GAGLIANO
    (Lib)

Biographical Information

Question 1: Please briefly provide the following information: place (town or county and state) of birth, age as of election day 2024, place (town or county) of permanent residency, occupation/employer, and education. How do these things and your other life experiences qualify you to be an effective legislator?

Question 2: What do you consider to be the most pressing issues facing Montana heading into the 2025 session and what legislation would you propose and/or support to address these issues?

Question 3: Many Montanans are concerned about rising residential property taxes, which primarily fund local government services such as schools, counties and city/town programs but are calculated through a system set by the Legislature. What changes to the state tax system, if any, would you support to provide property tax relief while maintaining sufficient revenue for essential services?

Question 4: Considering the state’s role in mental and physical health care services, especially in helping cover the costs of services available to lower-income Montanans, what additional steps, if any, do you believe the Legislature should take to enhance health care access and promote Montanans’ health?

Question 5: Many education leaders are concerned that the state’s existing school funding formula isn’t keeping up with the costs of educating students. What proposals, if any, would you support to ensure adequate and sustainable long-term funding is available for public pre-K–12, college/university, and vocational education programs?

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I was born in New York and relocated to Missoula, Montana, in 1981; later, I moved to Philipsburg in 2000, which is now my permanent residence. I worked for New York Telephone and also served as a union secretary before transferring to Missoula, where I retired in 1982. From 2021 to 2024, I was appointed Director of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and served the constituents' interests. Granite County withdrew from the authority this month (September) despite the support from the communities of Drummond and Philipsburg. These experiences in private sector work and public service have prepared me to represent my constituents and fight for their interests effectively.
Government overreach is one of the most pressing issues I hear about. Too much growth in government threatens individual liberties and our inalienable rights. I will work within the boundaries of both the U.S. and Montana Constitutions and ensure that the actions of federal and state regulatory agencies are compliant and necessary. My goal is to demand greater transparency, involve the public more directly, and ensure that the government serves the people and not vice versa.
I have long been an outspoken advocate for personal liberties, including the right to own property, run a business, and raise a family free from excessive government interference. I support measures that prioritize protecting these rights while reducing the burden of property taxes.
We must focus on reducing government overreach in healthcare, allowing more local control and input on healthcare decisions. For mental and physical health services, especially for lower-income Montanans, I support policies that streamline bureaucracy, improve transparency, and promote community-based solutions. By prioritizing local decision-making and ensuring that resources are used efficiently, we can provide better access to care without imposing unnecessary costs on taxpayers. Additionally, we need to strengthen partnerships with non-profits and local organizations that are often more in tune with the specific healthcare needs of their communities.
Ending or significantly reducing certain federal regulatory agencies, like the Department of Education, would allow for local control over schools. Returning that power to Montana’s parents and communities and keeping the money in the state rather than sending it to Washington would enable us to better fund our schools. As a legislator, I will focus on keeping the government as a tool for the people, not a master.
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