Montana House of Representatives District 3 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Montana, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Montana House of Representatives District 3 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 3

Incumbent Braxton Mitchell defeated Andrea Getts in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 3 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Braxton Mitchell (R)	58.7	2,751
		Andrea Getts (D)	41.3	1,934

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,685
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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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.

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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?

Andrea Getts (D)

I'm not interested in partisan politics. I want to bring us back to the middle, where our common ground is found and where the work gets done.

Our schools need our support. They are often the center of the our communities in Montana educate our future generations.

We need to support Montanans at all stages in life - from birth through aging in place.

Braxton Mitchell (R)

District 3 is who I am. I grew up in Columbia Falls and am working hard with the people and small businesses in our district to solve problems and bring about change in state government.

Conservatives made a lot of reforms that were vetoed by 16 years of democrat governors. There is still a lot of work to do and I am working with my constituents and fellow legislators to be prepared to hit the ground running in 2023 and continue making government even more accountable and efficient.

Joe Biden and unelected judges are taking away our states rights. They are responsible for inflation in every aspect of our economy and over turning our election security laws. I will continue fighting to loosen the grip the federal government and judiciary has on our states rights.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Andrea Getts (D)

Preserving public land access and keeping a Montana a 'clean and healthful environment' for those of us here now and generations to come - this includes clean air and water. I care about quality public education for our children and providing needed resources to school and teachers. I also care about housing - what can we do to encourage responsible growth and build housing that residents can afford on local wages. We need to reevaluate the way property taxes are increased so that residents don't get priced out of their homes.

Braxton Mitchell (R)

Second Amendment

Election Integrity Natural Resource Development Public Lands Access

Transportation Infrastructure

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Braxton Mitchell (R)

I really look up to my great grandfather. He helped teach me the value of hard work and has good values and extends a helping hand to many in need.

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

Braxton Mitchell (R)

President Donald J. Trump’s inaugural address.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Andrea Getts (D)

Integrity and honesty.

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

Andrea Getts (D)

I have no hidden agenda to accomplish if I am elected. I want to serve my community and running to represent House District 3 is an opportunity to do that in bigger way than I am currently. I also believe that we need more women in the legislature. Women make up half of the population of Montana yet we only have 30% representation in elected offices at the state level.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Braxton Mitchell (R)

I do not just want to be known for fighting for our Constitution and our communities - I want to be known for what I did not do: Trade votes, make backroom deals, ignore my constituents, or compromise my principles.

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

Braxton Mitchell (R)

I remember when Osama bin Laden was captured and killed. At the time I was 10 years old.

I was only one-year-old when 9/11 happened, but I know so many aspects of life, security, and government were remarkably altered by that tragic day. I have met with survivors of the attacks and heard firsthand accounts of how the world changed in one day.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Andrea Getts (D)

I had a paper route when I was young. I would deliver the weekly Advertiser around my neighborhood afterschool on Wednesdays.

Braxton Mitchell (R)

Family Businesses - Vandevanter Meats and Montana Jerky Company since before I can remember. I grew up processing animals, hanging jerky, and doing everything you could imagine that a meat shop could do.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Andrea Getts (D)

Breaking Into the Current by Louise Teal. It is about boatwomen on the Colorado River and the struggle they faced to break into the industry as women. I still see the same struggles happen today in many industries and it is inspiring to see their strength in the stories included in the book.

Braxton Mitchell (R)

The Bible. The answer to every question is in there.

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

Braxton Mitchell (R)

'Till You Can't - Cody Johnson

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Braxton Mitchell (R)

The foundation of any good relationship starts with trust and communication.

A good governor should seek counsel from senators prior to making appointments which require legislative approval. Appointees may reflect the priorities of the governor personally and politically, but legislators have a duty to approve or reject appointments from the viewpoint of being those who actually make laws and appropriate money for that which is under the control of an appointee.

Perhaps the biggest reminder of the constitutional separation of powers is the appropriations process. While the governor can submit their own budget proposal, the constitution clearly states that the House of Representatives has the power of the purse. A governor should respect the thorough review and vetting the legislature ought to do for all agencies and programs. Constitutionally it is the responsibility of the House to write and pass a budget, so it is in a governor‘s best interest to work closely with the legislature as the history books will record the success or failure of the governor - not the House Appropriations Committee.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Andrea Getts (D)

Managing population growth.

Braxton Mitchell (R)

Energy and infrastructure are the two things that will determine the economic future of our state and quality of life.

Montana is rich in energy resources like coal and hydroelectricity. We need to also grow our energy portfolio to include nuclear. Adding nuclear would give us the baseload we need to keep the lights on. We have already experienced rolling blackouts in our coldest months and this is the sole responsibility of radical environmental groups who litigate the closure of our baseload assets and demand subsidies for intermittent power sources like wind and solar. Capacity shortages are literally a matter of life or death. In the winter of 2021, cold temperatures lead to capacity shortages across the country and Montana found itself with rolling blackouts. We were lucky because, that same day, capacity shortages claimed the lives of over 100 people in Texas. We will be next if we do not address this. Our coal severance tax also funds our schools so, by mining our incredible coal, we fund our schools - especially in rural areas.

Not only is much of Montana’s infrastructure aging or obsolete, we are already far behind as certain areas in the state have seen a population explosion in recent years. Roads that were once two lane shortcuts through a rural area have had to handle the volume of an arterial in a major city leading to more than an hour of extra transit time in some areas. With already out of control property taxes, the funding sources to build infrastructure that will still effectively serve us in 50 years, is getting even more precarious.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Braxton Mitchell (R)

In Montana, we are the fourth most part-time legislature in the country. We go more than a year and a half between sessions. Especially if we were to reduce the number of legislators from what we have in a bicameral legislature, I simply do not believe we could get everything done during our 90 day session. As it stands, each body has certain functions that are separate from the other. For example, the House writes the budget and the Senate confirms executive appointments. Furthermore, I believe it consolidates too much power in one place. Even within the same branch of government, checks and balances are needed and I do not believe that is possible with a unicameral legislature.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Andrea Getts (D)

I think there is value to understanding the processes behind the legislature and how it works behind the scenes. I also think there is value to citizen legislators instead of career politicians. Once someone is making politics their career, they forget about the struggles of regular working class Montanans.

Braxton Mitchell (R)

No, but it can be beneficial - especially if you end up with certain committees assignments. If you can listen, have a backbone, and don’t lie, you can likely be a successful legislator.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Braxton Mitchell (R)

Absolutely. You would get nothing done otherwise - making you failure to your constituents. When you get a bill drafted and it has a hearing, you need to know the members on the committee and the chair so you can effectively communicate your intentions in a way that will resonate with them. By working with others who share your values and interests, you can get input that could make a bill even better. If your bill makes it to the floor, it is beneficial to have allies who are well-versed in your bill and can stand up and speak in favor of it prior to a vote. Finally, you need to know someone in the other chamber who can carry it on the Floor for its final vote.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Braxton Mitchell (R)

No matter how much people try and spin it, there is no such thing as an independent redistricting commission. Everyone has some bias in them. Everyone has an ideology.

In Montana, the legislature has a fair process for appointing it’s own four representatives and our constitution is perfectly clear on how lines should be drawn. However, an even number of partisans will never agree, so you need a tiebreaker - and our current system for that is not the solution.

With that said, I think the legislature ought to make the district maps. They are elected by the people and are accountable to the people.

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

Andrea Getts (D)

Education; Children, Families, Health, and Human Services; Agriculture

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Braxton Mitchell (R)

All three of my committees deal with issues that are important to my district, so I have added interest in whether a bill passes or fails.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Andrea Getts (D)

Mike Mansfield. He was a very responsive Senator and clearly cared about his constituents.

Braxton Mitchell (R)

Prior to serving as a Senator, Dee Brown represented the House District I now serve. She is perhaps my greatest mentor. Dee can always give me advice when I need it and has introduced me to a lot of people in the district that I did not know before serving. As a legislator, she was never afraid to stick her neck out for our district, did not look to the leader of the party to see how she should vote, and was never afraid to be the only one to vote no.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Braxton Mitchell (R)

I have never thought about it before. I am a public servant, not a politician. Right now I am focused on representing my constituents. If they have other plans for me someday, I will consider them.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Braxton Mitchell (R)

Joe Biden was fighting to throw unvaccinated men and women out of the military. I had a constituent who is in the National Guard contact me and tell me how much they love our country, State, and what they do, but did not know what to do about being thrown out of the military for refusing an experimental drug. It was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life. Seeing a hero and patriot kicked to the curb and made vulnerable is beyond description. The fact that they thought to contact me about that really illuminated how much people count on me to work hard for them every day.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Braxton Mitchell (R)

Absolutely. I believe the constitutional separation of powers demands it. During the first week we saw governors across the country issuing the very first coronavirus directives with their emergency powers, it became clear that the legislature must have have strong oversight. Our last governor tried to, intentionally, take down the entire state economy and strip Montanans of as many rights as possible - essentially suspending the state constitution and declaring whatever powers he chose to claim.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Andrea Getts (D)

Montana has been a great state because we've typically been a purple state. People vote for the person not the party and we haven't given way to partisan politics. In order to keep Montana a good place to live, we need to see all parts of the issues and figure out a way to move forward working together. Montana has also been a live and let live state which has give us more rights than other states. This is important to me and I know that Montanans value their ability to be independent and make their own choices.

Braxton Mitchell (R)

When it comes to policy, no. Policy is a reflection of principles, and I will never compromise my principles.

See also

More about these elections:

• Montana House of Representatives elections, 2022

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