MONTANA HOUSE DISTRICT 97
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.
-
MELODY J CUNNINGHAM
(Dem)
-
MICHAEL P HAGESTAD
(Rep)
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
michaelforhd97@gmail.com
Born in Missoula in 1999. Will be 27 in November of 2026. Place of Permanent Residency: Missoula MT. Occupation: Attorney, Employer: HagEstad Law Group, PLLC. Education: Bachelor of Arts Economics Hillsdale College, J.D. University of Montana.
I am qualified to be an effective legislature not by merit of educational success as marked by degrees, but because of the formation of my character that occurred as a result of the education process. I am qualified to be an effective legislator because I know that I know nothing.
Cost of Living, Insurance Premiums, Taxes.
Cost of Living: Find "low-hanging fruit" to reduce the burden on people living in the state and especially Missoula. This could be tax reductions, legislation restricting HOAs and Restrictive zoning, or other things I dont know about yet.
Insurance Premiums: Montana is a remarkably costly state to purchase insurance. There are legislative reforms that would reduce costs and allow more people to afford insurance.
Taxes: Lower Taxes and Reduce Municipalities Power to levy taxes.
First I would want to talk to specific people and hear what they have to say. Each problem likely has a specific solution. In general, I think markets are an efficient way to reduce costs, and I attribute the rising costs of medical insurance and care to laws and regulations that protect monopolies and restrict the entrance of new market participants thereby driving up costs.
My primary issue with Montana Elections is Voter Information. I think Montana Voters are entitled to have as much information about candidates running for offices as possible. I oppose any effort to restrict the kinds of information a voter might reasonably want to know. If judges must be elected, then voters should be entitled to find out what party affiliation that judge would Identify with. All elected offices are inherently political and therefore partisan labels should be expanded in an effort to increase voter information. By increasing voter information, elections will be less swayed by other factors such as money.
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.