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Dylan Kunz
From Ballotpedia
Dylan Kunz (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Montana House of Representatives to represent District 20. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on June 2, 2026.
Kunz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Dylan Kunz was born in Missoula, Montana. He earned a high school diploma from Havre High School. His career experience includes working as a caregiver. He has been affiliated with Citizens for Clean Energy and the Montana Opportunity Youth Advisory Council.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 20
Valynda Holland and Dylan Kunz are running in the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 20 on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Valynda Holland | ||
 | Dylan Kunz  | |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 20
Incumbent Melissa Nikolakakos and Anthony Rosales are running in the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 20 on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Melissa Nikolakakos | |
 | Anthony Rosales | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Dylan Kunz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kunz's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m a youth organizer and community advocate who grew up in Montana and has spent the last several years working directly with young people and families across the state. My work has taken me from rural towns to community events to local campaigns, listening to what people actually need and helping connect them to resources. I come from a background where stability wasn’t guaranteed, and that experience shapes how I approach policy. I understand what it feels like to be overlooked here, and I’m running because too many Montanans are dealing with the same struggles — housing insecurity, disappearing local services, and a government that isn’t paying attention. I want to bring real-life perspective and practical solutions to the table.
- 1. Housing MUST be treated as a real, urgent issue Montana’s housing crisis is pushing people out of their communities. I’m committed to preserving existing supports, expanding affordable and attainable housing, and keeping longtime Montanans from being priced out of their own towns.
- 2. Young and rural Montanans deserve to be heard Students, young workers, and families in rural areas face huge gaps in stability, opportunity, and support. I want to elevate their needs in the legislature and ensure state policy reflects the realities outside of the major cities.
- 3. Protect personal freedoms and expand access to healthcare People deserve privacy, dignity, and access to the care they need — including reproductive care, mental health support, and local clinics. Community health shouldn’t be a political battleground.
Rebuilding and expanding Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs
Montana used to have strong hands-on training in trades, agriculture, tech, healthcare pathways, and workforce skills. Many districts have lost those programs because of funding cuts or staffing shortages. Restoring CTE gives students real opportunities — especially in rural towns where four-year college isn’t the only or best route. Strengthening CTE creates a skilled workforce, keeps young people in their communities, and connects students to living-wage careers.
Montana used to have strong hands-on training in trades, agriculture, tech, healthcare pathways, and workforce skills. Many districts have lost those programs because of funding cuts or staffing shortages. Restoring CTE gives students real opportunities — especially in rural towns where four-year college isn’t the only or best route. Strengthening CTE creates a skilled workforce, keeps young people in their communities, and connects students to living-wage careers.
I look up to people like Thurgood Marshall, whose courage and strategic thinking reshaped civil rights, and Pope Benedict XVI, whose leadership and sense of duty left a lasting impact on millions before he passed. I admire people who stand firm in their values, who lead with service, and who use their position to make life better for those who don’t often have a voice.
Integrity, accountability, and a willingness to listen. An elected official should be rooted in honesty, open about their decisions, and focused on serving the people rather than protecting a political image. They should be willing to admit when they’re wrong, learn from others, and stay grounded in the community they represent. Curiosity and humility matter just as much as leadership.
The core responsibilities are to represent the district accurately, vote with the community’s interests in mind, and communicate clearly about what is happening in the legislature. A legislator should be accessible, keep constituents informed, show up in the district, and take the time to understand how proposed laws will actually affect the people who live here. Above all, the job is to solve real problems, not create political ones.
I want to leave a legacy of reshaping the culture of Montana so that young people — no matter where they come from, who they are, or what their family situation is — can build stable, fulfilling lives here. My hope is to help create a state where opportunity isn’t determined by zip code, where youth feel seen, and where the next generation doesn’t have to fight the same battles mine did.
The first major historical event I remember clearly was the overturning of Roe v. Wade. I was 14, and even at that age, I understood how deeply it would shape people’s lives and futures. It was the moment I realized how powerful — and personal — policy decisions can be.
My first job was working at a greenhouse watering plants and pruning flowers. I worked there for a summer, and it taught me a lot about responsibility, patience, and taking pride in everyday work.
My favorite book is Bridge to Terabithia. It’s a story about friendship, imagination, loss, and growing up — and it captures how young people make sense of a world that doesn’t always make sense around them. It stuck with me because of its honesty and emotional depth.
I’d choose a character who represents the rugged independence and steady resolve that people admire in figures like John Wayne. I’m drawn to characters who embody quiet strength, loyalty, and a willingness to step up when it matters. (And he's a badass cowboy)
One of the hardest periods of my life was becoming homeless at 16 while working full-time and finishing high school. That experience shaped how I see policy, how I show up for other young people, and why stability and opportunity matter so much to me. It taught me resilience, but also showed me the gaps in our systems that need to be fixed.
The ideal relationship is collaborative but balanced. The governor and legislature shouldn’t operate as rivals — they should function as partners when it comes to solving statewide challenges. At the same time, the legislature must remain independent enough to provide oversight and prevent overreach. Both sides serve Montana best when they respect each other’s roles and focus on good policy rather than party lines.
Montana’s biggest challenges will be housing, the shrinking availability of essential services in rural areas, and the loss of young people who feel they have no future here. Rising costs are pushing families out of their own communities. Rural healthcare access is disappearing. Schools face teacher shortages, and CTE programs have been cut in many districts, limiting pathways into local careers. If we don’t address these issues, we risk losing the identity and stability that make Montana home.
It can be helpful, but it’s not essential. What matters most is understanding the community and being able to learn the legislative process with humility and intention. Some of the best lawmakers are people who come from outside traditional political circles — people who bring real-world experience and a fresh perspective. Political experience is a tool, not a requirement.
Yes. Building relationships is essential for getting anything done. Legislatures work on cooperation — bills require support, amendments require negotiation, and meaningful policy requires trust. When lawmakers know each other as people rather than opponents, it becomes easier to find common ground, especially on issues that cross party lines like housing, education, and rural infrastructure.
Jeannette Rankin. She led with conviction, stayed true to her principles, and fought for people who rarely had a voice in government. She didn’t back down from difficult positions, even when they made her unpopular. Her courage, independence, and commitment to social justice set a standard for public service that still resonates today.
Right now, my focus is entirely on serving this district and doing the work in front of me. If I earn the trust of my community and feel I can make a broader impact in the future, I would be open to continuing public service — but only if it aligns with what Montanans need at that time.
One story that has stayed with me came from a third-generation Great Falls resident who told me she had to move away from the place her family built their entire lives around. She described how her neighborhood changed as housing costs rose, how local businesses closed, and how the sense of community faded. Leaving wasn’t something she wanted — it was something she felt forced into. Hearing that from someone with such deep roots shows just how urgently we need to protect the stability of our towns.
Yes, but with clear limits. Emergency powers should exist so the state can respond quickly in crises, but they should be time-bound and subject to legislative oversight. No single branch should have unchecked authority. The legislature’s role is to ensure emergency actions are necessary, temporary, and transparent.
A bill providing a $250 stipend to teachers at the start of the school year to cover the personal expenses they take on for classroom supplies. Teachers already spend their own money to make sure students have what they need — this bill recognizes that reality and supports them directly.
None publicly yet, but many have privately.
I oppose changes. Montana has one of the strongest and most trusted ballot initiative processes in the country. It gives citizens a direct way to participate in democracy and has been used responsibly for decades. There is no need to weaken or restrict it.
One story that meant a lot to me came from a woman who told me she hadn’t felt hopeful about politics in decades — but seeing young people step forward to lead made her believe change was possible again. Hearing her say that my generation was giving her hope was genuinely moving and reminded me why engagement matters.
I’m most proud of my siblings and the people they’re becoming. Seeing them grow, find their own paths, and build their lives has been one of the most meaningful parts of mine.
I would work on repealing the law that requires the birth year of each voter to be printed on the ballot secrecy envelope. It adds no meaningful purpose, and doesn’t improve election integrity. Elections should be focused on qualifications and ideas - not adding barriers to promote voter suppression.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate Montana House of Representatives District 20 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on December 5, 2025
Current members of the Montana House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Brandon Ler
Majority Leader:Steve Fitzpatrick
Minority Leader:Katie Sullivan
Representatives
District 1
Neil Duram (R)
District 2
Tom Millett (R)
District 3
Debo Powers (D)
District 4
Lyn Bennett (R)
District 5
Braxton Mitchell (R)
District 6
Amy Regier (R)
District 7
District 8
Lukas Schubert (R)
District 9
Steven Kelly (R)
District 10
Terry Falk (R)
District 11
Ed Byrne (R)
District 12
Tracy Sharp (R)
District 13
Linda Reksten (R)
District 14
Paul Fielder (R)
District 15
Thedis Crowe (D)
District 16
District 17
Zachary Wirth (R)
District 18
Llew Jones (R)
District 19
Jane Weber (D)
District 20
District 21
Edward Buttrey (R)
District 22
District 23
Eric Tilleman (R)
District 24
District 25
Steve Gist (R)
District 26
Russ Miner (R)
District 27
Paul Tuss (D)
District 28
Eric Albus (R)
District 29
Valerie Moore (R)
District 30
Morgan Thiel (R)
District 31
Frank Smith (D)
District 32
Mike Fox (D)
District 33
Brandon Ler (R)
District 34
District 35
Gary Parry (R)
District 36
Greg Kmetz (R)
District 37
Shane Klakken (R)
District 38
Greg Oblander (R)
District 39
District 40
Mike Vinton (R)
District 41
Jade Sooktis (D)
District 42
District 43
Larry Brewster (R)
District 44
Katie Zolnikov (R)
District 45
Denise Baum (D)
District 46
Denise Joy (D)
District 47
James Reavis (D)
District 48
Curtis Schomer (R)
District 49
Sherry Essmann (R)
District 50
Anthony Nicastro (R)
District 51
Jodee Etchart (R)
District 52
Stacy Zinn (R)
District 53
Nelly Nicol (R)
District 54
Lee Deming (R)
District 55
Brad Barker (R)
District 56
Fiona Nave (R)
District 57
Scott Rosenzweig (D)
District 58
Jamie Isaly (D)
District 59
Vacant
District 60
Alanah Griffith (D)
District 61
Becky Edwards (D)
District 62
Josh Seckinger (D)
District 63
Peter Strand (D)
District 64
Kelly Kortum (D)
District 65
Brian Close (D)
District 66
Eric Matthews (D)
District 67
Jedediah Hinkle (R)
District 68
Caleb Hinkle (R)
District 69
Kenneth Walsh (R)
District 70
Shannon Maness (R)
District 71
Scott DeMarois (D)
District 72
Donavon Hawk (D)
District 73
Jennifer Lynch (D)
District 74
Marc Lee (D)
District 75
Mark Reinschmidt (R)
District 76
John Fitzpatrick (R)
District 77
Jane Gillette (R)
District 78
Randyn Gregg (R)
District 79
Luke Muszkiewicz (D)
District 80
Melissa Romano (D)
District 81
Mary Caferro (D)
District 82
Pete Elverum (D)
District 83
Jill Cohenour (D)
District 84
Julie Darling (R)
District 85
Kathy Love (R)
District 86
David Bedey (R)
District 87
Terry Nelson (R)
District 88
Greg Overstreet (R)
District 89
Mark Thane (D)
District 90
Curtis Cochran (R)
District 91
Shelly Fyant (D)
District 92
Connie Keogh (D)
District 93
Katie Sullivan (D)
District 94
Marilyn Marler (D)
District 95
Zooey Zephyr (D)
District 96
Bob Carter (D)
District 97
District 98
Jonathan Karlen (D)
District 99
Tom France (D)
District 100
SJ Howell (D)
Republican Party (58)
Democratic Party (41)
Vacancies (1)
