MONTANA HOUSE DISTRICT 89
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.
Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.
-
LYN HELLEGAARD
(Rep)
-
MARK A THANE
(Dem)
Q1. Please briefly provide the following information: place (town or county and state) of birth, age as of election day 2026, place (town or county) of permanent residency, occupation/employer, and education. How do these and your other life experiences qualify you to be an effective Legislator?
Q2. What are the most important issues you expect to face if elected to the Montana Legislature, and what are your positions on those issues? How would you prioritize each of the issues you have identified?
Q3. What economic policies will you pursue to help Americans who are concerned about their economic prospects in the coming years, including the cost of medical insurance and care?
Q4. What measures do you support to ensure Montana elections are secure while facilitating the ability of all eligible voters to cast their ballots? What, if anything, should the state government do to reduce the role of money in American elections?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Other Social Media
email: Thaneformt@gmail.com
Born and raised in Missoula, age 67. Graduate of Missoula Public Schools and the University of Montana. Thirty-nine year career in Missoula's schools, retiring as Superintendent of MCPS in 2019. Currently serving my third term in the Montana Legislature representing House District 89 (Missoula/Lolo). Legislative committee assignments have included Education, Local Government, Agriculture and Taxation (vice-chair). Currently serving on the Revenue Interim Committee and the National Conference of State Legislatures SALT (State and Local Tax) Committee.
1. Continue support for Montana's Medicaid program including the enhanced provider rate schedules.
2. Fully fund Montana's public schools; consider the funding recommendations of the decennial School Funding Interim Commission.
3. Protect our public lands and preserve Montana's hunting and fishing heritage.
4. Refine the work we completed in the 2025 legislative session to reduce property taxes.
5. Resolve the pending structural imbalance for the biennial budget. Consider decoupling from the federal tax code.
1. Continue to support Montana's current Medicaid program.
2. Continue to refine Montana's property tax structure.
3. Advocate additional funding for accessible/workforce housing with coal trust money through the State Board of Housing.
4. Support a childcare tax credit to allow parents to return to the workforce.
5. Enhance the Elderly Homeowners and Renters Tax Credit.
6. Enhance the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) and the Montana Disabled Veterans Property Tax Assistance Program.
Montana has a history of fair and secure elections. Maintaining the integrity of our elections is important, but we must also be certain that we don't disenfranchise voters in rural and reservation settings by creating unnecessary barriers to voting.
I support the "Montana Plan" to eliminate dark money and corporate spending in our elections.
To make a selection for a candidate you must first find your races. Would you like to find your races now?
You have already selected the maximum number of candidates for this race.
You must uncheck an existing selection before making another selection.