Jonathan McNiven
Jonathan McNiven is a former Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 44 from 2011 to 2014. McNiven resigned 16 days after winning re-election on November 4, 2014, in order to operate the Yellowstone County News, which he purchased the previous summer.[1]
Biography
McNiven earned his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University. His professional experience includes working as the owner of McNiven Enterprises.
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, McNiven served on the following committees:
| Montana committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Business and Labor |
| • Education |
| • Ethics, Vice Chair |
| • Local Government |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, McNiven served on the following committees:
| Montana committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Agriculture |
| • Business and Labor |
| • Education |
Campaign themes
2012
McNiven's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[2]
Better Economy/Better Jobs
I support efforts to create a business climate that will encourage existing businesses and industries to expand their research, development and job force. A reduction in taxes and bureaucratic red tape will stimulate growth in all aspects of our economy resulting in more and higher paying jobs for Montana.
Less Spending/Lower Taxes
There is too much spending and waste in our government. The average income of the citizens of Montana is not keeping pace with the increases in government spending. Too much of our income is spent on property and income taxes and it is time for relief. We should be able to choose how we spend more of our money and government should be spending less time trying to redistribute the wealth of Montana.
Quality Education
Our children need to be prepared to compete in a very technical world and to do that, a quality education must be available. Adequate funding for education, competent teachers and up-to-date equipment and facilities are necessary to accomplish this.
Affordable Healthcare
Everyone should have access to basic health care at a reasonable cost. Too many Montanans are denied that access either due to unaffordable insurance premiums, preexisting health conditions that prevent them from obtaining insurance and overall heathcare costs that are just too high. Healthcare costs must become more competitive.
Lower Energy Costs/Responsible Development
The cost of heating and lighting our homes and obtaining fuel for cars, trucks and farm equipment is causing too much of a strain on our family, business and government budgets. We need to have a comprehensive plan and then execute that plan to continue to develop our natural resources, find and develop new sources of energy and maintain a quality environment.
Traditional Family Values
Strong families are as important today as they were yesterday and will continue to be important in the future if we are to thrive and even survive. Our children are our greatest resource and we need to use our talent, creativity and resources to make sure they inherit a Montana that is even better than the one we live in today. We need to do all that we can to protect the values that will keep our families strong.
Elections
2014
Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 10, 2014; minor party and independent candidates had until June 2, 2014, to file. Tom Curry was unopposed in the Democratic primary. District 44 incumbent Jonathan McNiven was unopposed in the Republican primary. McNiven defeated Curry in the general election. Joshua Austill ran as a Libertarian candidate. Incumbent Don Jones (R) ran in District 46.[3][4]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Jonathan McNiven Incumbent |
65.5% | 2,061 | |
| Democratic | Tom Curry | 34.5% | 1,084 | |
| Total Votes | 3,145 | |||
2012
McNiven won re-election in the 2012 election for Montana House of Representatives, District 44. McNiven ran unopposed in the June 5 primary election and defeated Wallace Yovetich (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[5][6]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jonathan McNiven Incumbent |
61.5% | 2,567 | |
| Democratic | Wallace Yovetich | 38.5% | 1,605 | |
| Total Votes | 4,172 | |||
2010
On November 2, 2010, McNiven won election to the Montana House of Representatives. McNiven did not have any opposition in June 8 primary. He faced Don Reed (D) in the November 2 general election.[7][8]
| Montana House of Representatives, District 44 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Jonathan McNiven (R)
|
1,946 | |||
| Don Reed (D) | 1,165 | |||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Montana scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2014
In 2014, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 7 to April 27.
|
2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2012, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session. |
Endorsements
Presidential preference
2012
Jonathan McNiven endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[11]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
McNiven and his wife, Tania, have three children.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Jonathan + McNiven + Montana + House"
See also
- Montana State Legislature
- Montana House of Representatives
- Montana House Committees
- Montana Joint Committees
- Montana state legislative districts
External links
- Office website (63rd session)
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook page
- Personal Facebook profile
- McNiven's blog
- Profile from Open States
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2012, 2010
Footnotes
- ↑ Billings Gazette, "Lawmaker McNiven resigns 2 weeks after re-election to run newspaper," November 20, 2014
- ↑ Jonathan McNiven for HD44, "On the Issues," accessed October 16, 2012
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed October 29, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide Primary Election Canvass," accessed June 30, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislative Primary Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Legislative Primary Canvass - June 08, 2010," accessed March 12, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2010 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed March 12, 2014
- ↑ Montana Contractors' Association, "Stronger Together: Political Representation," accessed November 5, 2015
- ↑ Montana Weed Control Association, "2013 Legislative Report & Scorecard," accessed September 17, 2014
- ↑ Mitt Romney for President, "Mitt Romney Announces Montana Leadership Team," March 6, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William Glaser (R) |
Montana House of Representatives District 44 2011–2014 |
Succeeded by Dale Mortensen (R) |
