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Matt Olson
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Matt Olson (Republican Party) ran for election to the Montana State Senate to represent District 42. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Olson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Matt Olson was born in Ronan, Montana. His career experience includes working as a business owner/operator.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Montana State Senate District 42
Mary Ann Dunwell defeated Matt Olson in the general election for Montana State Senate District 42 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mary Ann Dunwell (D)  | 55.3 | 5,071 |
 | Matt Olson (R) | 44.7 | 4,103 | |
| Total votes: 9,174 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 42
Mary Ann Dunwell advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 42 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mary Ann Dunwell | 100.0 | 2,857 |
| Total votes: 2,857 | |||
| = 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 State Senate District 42
Matt Olson advanced from the Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 42 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Matt Olson | 100.0 | 2,072 |
| Total votes: 2,072 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Matt Olson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Olson'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 am a 4th generation Montanan. For 28 years I have lived and worked in Helena as an Owner\Operator of the Prospect Avenue Dairy Queen. My wife and I of 33 years raised our 3 children in Helena. In 2020, we sold the franchise and now I am running for Senate to continue to promote successful business practices in our state. I enjoy the outdoors, especially fishing and hiking. I believe in our Constitution. I believe in working side by side with our community, not promoting ideas that divide us. I believe in protecting our families, protecting our rights as citizens, preserving our natural resources and keeping our community safe.
- I am honest and have integrity . I WILL NOT make promises just to get elected. I will lead by example by studying issues to the best of my ability . I will show up to work.
- I will uphold our Montana and United States constitution. Our personal rights and freedoms must be protected.
- I believe in fiscal responsibility. We cannot continue to spend borrowed money. That is why it is so important to get team members back to work and provide an environment where business can thrive. We are only able to provide programs from tax revenue. If we cannot earn it, we should spend it.
1. Protecting Small Business and their employees.
2. Support for our Veterans, Law Enforcement , First Responders and their safety.
I would look up to my dad, although he passed away my 1st year of college, he left a legacy that is unmatched. He was such a honest man. He never met a stranger. He worked hard, loved his family, loved God and this country . I choose to be a man like him. I choose to be honest and exhibit integrity to the best of my ability. I choose to work hard, love my family, my God and my country as well. I choose to leave a legacy that will inspire not only my kids, and our employees, but anyone I work along side of.
Politically, my hero was Ronald Reagan. Although he was not perfect, and I do not agree with every decision he made, I do appreciate his great courage and his desire and ability to unite people.
Politically, my hero was Ronald Reagan. Although he was not perfect, and I do not agree with every decision he made, I do appreciate his great courage and his desire and ability to unite people.
You cannot beat hard work and honesty. You must be able to work well with others. You must be competent and accomplish tasks.
I remember celebrating the United States Bi-Centennial in 1976. Everyone seemed to be so patriotic and proud to be an American, celebrating our vast accomplishments as a nation. I was 13 years old.
I grew up mowing lawns. My first REAL job was at a Taco stand in the 7th grade. I worked there all summer long until school started. I still love tacos to this day!
There must be mutual respect of the authority of each position. "Honesty is the best policy", Abraham Lincoln.
Infrastructure to accommodate our population increase will continue to be a big challenge. Safety in our communities , especially as the drug epidemic continues must be addressed. We must also teach our generations Montanan values of resourcefulness, honesty and self determination.
I do NOT believe that it is necessary for a state legislator to have previous experience in government or politics. I think a patriot is more important than a politician. A patriot, will strive to do right by their constituent, while and a politician will focus on getting re-elected. I do believe you need experience in leadership, working well with others, and being able to complete a task. If no one is "buying" what you are "selling", perhaps you are out of touch with your community and your "product" is unnecessary.
I believe it IS important to build relationships with other legislators. There are some legislators who will have more knowledge in one area, and you would need to learn from them. Likewise, you would have more knowledge in other areas serving on your specific committee that they could learn from you. ALL successful teams are built and managed when you work TOGETHER for a common goal of success.
I am only focused on the race I am running now.
I am inspired by a past employee who had been abandoned by his family. He worked hard as a teenager and has continued to work hard to this day. He is now a husband and a father. He is raising his own family with love, kindness and support. He serves others with a smile while he contributes to society in too many ways to be listed.He is not expecting handouts, but needs a level playing field for doing what is right. I appreciate that he continually gives back (even after a long day at work when he is exhausted). I want to work hard on his behalf and for others like him to help take some of the burden off their shoulders through responsible, not over reaching policies, spending and taxation . We need to support those keeping our economy flowing and flourishing.
Possibly in time of crisis
You MUST listen, even though you may not agree. I like the example from founding father John Adams, "There must be decency and respect" in agreeing to disagree. There are things such as unalienable rights and core values that cannot be negotiated, but one must listen to all sides to gain an understanding. Our jobs as legislators is not to push our own agendas, but rather create protection for our state and it's constituents well being.
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.
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 3, 2022.
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
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
District 24
Mike Yakawich (R)
District 25
Dennis Lenz (R)
District 26
Tom McGillvray (R)
District 27
Vince Ricci (R)
District 28
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)
