Mark McGinley

Mark McGinley (Republican Party) ran for election to the Montana State Senate to represent District 35. He lost in the Republican primary on June 4, 2024.

Biography

McGinley was born in Pierre, South Dakota. He served in the United States Army from November 1988 to February 2019. McGinley has also served in the Montana National Guard. He was deployed from August 2003 through March 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom and has served as a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot. McGinley's Army career highlights include serving in the 83rd civil support team, serving as an assistant professor of military science at Carroll College, and working as a trainer for suicide intervention skills. He earned a bachelor's degree from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, in May 1988. McGinley has served as a teacher and retired military officer. He also has secondary education credentials and has been affiliated with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Toastmasters International, and Knights of Columbus.^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Montana State Senate District 35

Tony Tezak won election in the general election for Montana State Senate District 35 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tony Tezak (R)	100.0	11,666

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,666
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 35

Tony Tezak defeated Ray Shaw and Mark McGinley in the Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 35 on June 4, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Tony Tezak	39.4	2,260
	Ray Shaw	38.7	2,223
	Mark McGinley	21.9	1,256

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,739
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for McGinley in this election.

2020

United States House election in Montana, 2020 (June 2 Democratic primary)

United States House election in Montana, 2020 (June 2 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Montana At-large District

Matt Rosendale defeated Kathleen Williams in the general election for U.S. House Montana At-large District on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Matt Rosendale (R)	56.4	339,169
	Kathleen Williams (D)	43.6	262,340

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 601,509
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

John Gibney (G)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Montana At-large District

Kathleen Williams defeated Tom Winter in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Montana At-large District on June 2, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Kathleen Williams	89.5	133,436
	Tom Winter	10.5	15,698

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 149,134
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Matt Rains (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Montana At-large District

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Montana At-large District on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Matt Rosendale	48.3	104,575
		Corey Stapleton	33.2	71,902
		Debra Lamm	6.7	14,462
		Joe Dooling	6.3	13,726
		Mark McGinley	3.6	7,818
	Submit photo	John Evankovich	1.8	3,983

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 216,466
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Timothy Johnson (R)

Green primary election

Green primary for U.S. House Montana At-large District

John Gibney advanced from the Green primary for U.S. House Montana At-large District on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	John Gibney	100.0	690

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 690
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Mark McGinley did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Mark McGinley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McGinley's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Dillon, Montana the ninth of 12 children. I played sports and graduated in 1982. I moved to Helena and earned a BA in English Literature and History from Carroll College.

After graduating from college, I enlisted with the Montana Army National Guard. I was sent to Officer Candidate School and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1990. I taught at Broadwater County High School in Townsend. In 2003-2004 I was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I served as an Aviation Officer retiring in February 2019 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following my retirement, I worked for the National Guard as the Suicide Prevention Program Manager. In October 2019 I accepted a position with Montana Youth Challenge in Dillon.

My life has been devoted to public service. I want to serve Montana in the US Congress because I believe these experiences make me the best qualified candidate, a TRUE MONTANA REPRESENTATIVE.

My mother used to tell us that we can disagree without being disagreeable. It is true as a family; it is true as a nation. I will serve in Congress an open mind and a passion for the issues.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Education. Decreased federal over sight; increase local & state support.
Veteran and Military support
Montana values.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am very passionate about education and how state and local leaders need to be empowered. Department of Education (federal) needs to be decreased to get more funding for the local schools and allow local leaders to decide the needs of their students. Additionally, I want to ensure our Veterans are cared for as President Lincoln had intended. This includes a focused drive to reduce the number suicides they face. Suicide prevention is something I am concerned about and will leverage my training about prevention to strive a suicide safe society, a major challenge in Montana. Finally, I will work to ensure the whole cycle of AG business is promoted and policies focus on the success and sustainment Montana economics. As part of the AG business, a common sense and practical approach to resource management. One is not exclusive of the other. A principle thought comes from my Mom, "we don't need to be disagreeable when we disagree." I look to find the common ground that yields the best benefit for all.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

As an English teacher I would select George Orwell's Animal Far, it is not as dark as 1984, but it highlights how quickly our society could loose our civil liberties.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

As retired military officer after 30 years, I will be able to provide leadership through team building and finding common ground. The military leadership along with my time as an educator, I will demonstrate the need to be selfless and a servant leader in Congress. It is not about me, it is about who I work for.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Watergate. I was 10 and remember seeing the reports on TV about the investigation.

What is your favorite book? Why?

As an English teacher, Huckleberry Fin by Mark Twain, since it is the quintessential American literature. Huck is faced with the moral challenge of turning in his friend, who is a run away slave, and obeying the law. Or doing the hard and correct ethic thing and not reporting him.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Luke Byran - Most People Are Good..

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The partisan mentality is inhibiting the growth of our great country. We need to focus on working together, finding the best solutions that will benefit the people. The negative rhetoric about the other side needs to stop. We need to be productive as a body and demonstrate that we can work together. Congress needs to the guiding light on how well the American society can work together.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Education and Labor, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes, this is the people's house and we need to ensure the constituents are properly represented. Needs of the people change quickly and we need to be responsive.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I would support a constitutional amendment on terms.

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.

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released April 24, 2020

Mark McGinley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McGinley's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Dillon, Montana the ninth of 12 children. I played sports and graduated in 1982. I moved to Helena and earned a BA in English Literature and History from Carroll College.

After graduating from college, I enlisted with the Montana Army National Guard. I was sent to Officer Candidate School and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1990. I taught at Broadwater County High School in Townsend. In 2003-2004 I was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I served as an Aviation Officer retiring in February 2019 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following my retirement, I worked for the National Guard as the Suicide Prevention Program Manager. In October 2019 I accepted a position with Montana Youth Challenge in Dillon.

My life has been devoted to public service. I want to serve Montana in the US Congress because I believe these experiences make me the best qualified candidate, a TRUE MONTANA REPRESENTATIVE.

My mother used to tell us that we can disagree without being disagreeable. It is true as a family; it is true as a nation. I will serve in Congress an open mind and a passion for the issues.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Education. Decreased federal over sight; increase local & state support.
Veteran and Military support
Montana values.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am very passionate about education and how state and local leaders need to be empowered. Department of Education (federal) needs to be decreased to get more funding for the local schools and allow local leaders to decide the needs of their students. Additionally, I want to ensure our Veterans are cared for as President Lincoln had intended. This includes a focused drive to reduce the number suicides they face. Suicide prevention is something I am concerned about and will leverage my training about prevention to strive a suicide safe society, a major challenge in Montana. Finally, I will work to ensure the whole cycle of AG business is promoted and policies focus on the success and sustainment Montana economics. As part of the AG business, a common sense and practical approach to resource management. One is not exclusive of the other. A principle thought comes from my Mom, "we don't need to be disagreeable when we disagree." I look to find the common ground that yields the best benefit for all.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

As an English teacher I would select George Orwell's Animal Far, it is not as dark as 1984, but it highlights how quickly our society could loose our civil liberties.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

As retired military officer after 30 years, I will be able to provide leadership through team building and finding common ground. The military leadership along with my time as an educator, I will demonstrate the need to be selfless and a servant leader in Congress. It is not about me, it is about who I work for.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Watergate. I was 10 and remember seeing the reports on TV about the investigation.

What is your favorite book? Why?

As an English teacher, Huckleberry Fin by Mark Twain, since it is the quintessential American literature. Huck is faced with the moral challenge of turning in his friend, who is a run away slave, and obeying the law. Or doing the hard and correct ethic thing and not reporting him.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Luke Byran - Most People Are Good..

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The partisan mentality is inhibiting the growth of our great country. We need to focus on working together, finding the best solutions that will benefit the people. The negative rhetoric about the other side needs to stop. We need to be productive as a body and demonstrate that we can work together. Congress needs to the guiding light on how well the American society can work together.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Education and Labor, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes, this is the people's house and we need to ensure the constituents are properly represented. Needs of the people change quickly and we need to be responsive.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I would support a constitutional amendment on terms.

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

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.

Mark McGinley campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Montana State Senate District 35	Lost primary	$1,665	$0
2020	U.S. House Montana At-large District	Lost primary	$0	N/A**
Grand total			$1,665	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

External links

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 29, 2020

[show]

Current members of the Montana State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Matt Regier

Majority Leader:Tom McGillvray

Senators

District 1

Mike Cuffe (R)

District 2

Dave Fern (D)

District 3

Carl Glimm (R)

District 4

John Fuller (R)

District 5

Matt Regier (R)

District 6

Mark Noland (R)

District 7

Greg Hertz (R)

District 8

Susan Webber (D)

District 9

Bruce Gillespie (R)

District 10

Jeremy Trebas (R)

District 11

Daniel Emrich (R)

District 12

Wendy McKamey (R)

District 13

Joshua Kassmier (R)

District 14

Russel Tempel (R)

District 15

Gregg Hunter (R)

District 16

Jonathan Windy Boy (D)

District 17

Bob Phalen (R)

District 18

Kenneth Bogner (R)

District 19

Barry Usher (R)

District 20

Sue Vinton (R)

District 21

Gayle Lammers (R)

District 22

Daniel Zolnikov (R)

District 23

Emma Kerr-Carpenter (D)

District 24

Mike Yakawich (R)

District 25

Dennis Lenz (R)

District 26

Tom McGillvray (R)

District 27

Vince Ricci (R)

District 28

Forrest Mandeville (R)

District 29

John Esp (R)

District 30

Cora Neumann (D)

District 31

Pat Flowers (D)

District 32

Denise Hayman (D)

District 33

Christopher Pope (D)

District 34

Shelley Vance (R)

District 35

Tony Tezak (R)

District 36

Sara Novak (D)

District 37

Derek Harvey (D)

District 38

Becky Beard (R)

District 39

Wylie Galt (R)

District 40

Laura Smith (D)

District 41

Janet Ellis (D)

District 42

Mary Dunwell (D)

District 43

Jason Ellsworth (R)

District 44

Theresa Manzella (R)

District 45

Denley Loge (R)

District 46

Jacinda Morigeau (D)

District 47

Ellie Boldman (D)

District 48

Andrea Olsen (D)

District 49

Willis Curdy (D)

District 50

Shane Morigeau (D)

Republican Party (32)

Democratic Party (18)

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 29, 2020

[1]

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Mark McGinley

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Montana State Senate District 35

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 35

Endorsements

2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Montana At-large District

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Montana At-large District

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Montana At-large District

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Green primary election

Green primary for U.S. House Montana At-large District

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2020

Video for Ballotpedia

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

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