Montana House of Representatives District 59 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Montana, 2022

---

On the ballot:  • U.S. House • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative • Supreme court • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Montana House of Representatives District 59 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 59

Incumbent Marty Malone defeated Ruth Weissman in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 59 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Marty Malone (R)	65.5	3,643
		Ruth Weissman (D)	34.5	1,921

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,564
= 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.

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

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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.

Expand all | Collapse all

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?

Marty Malone (R)

Pro 2nd Amendment

Pro Life

Pro Business

Ruth Weissman (D)

The challenges we face require that we consider the diversity of the people living in District 59. We have ranchers/farmers; manufacturers and inventors; artists and public servants; tourism enterprises and retirees. Despite this diversity, we have so much in common. Montanans love the beauty of our lands, spend a great deal of time outdoors working or recreating, treasure our wildlife, and care about protecting open access to public lands for hunting, fishing, or camping. As Representative, I will work to build on existing models of success in finding a balance of access to and conservation of our natural resources, and finding solutions that are fair to all.

Addressing affordable housing is critical to people's personal well-being but also to the economy and the health of our schools and other civic institutions. Families are leaving because they can't afford the high rents or housing prices. Across the district, folks are worried that their children won't be able to live in our communities. People who want to come and work here end up turning job offers down when they realize they cannot afford housing costs. Unless we deal with the affordable housing crisis, our public schools (especially in small communities) are in a death spiral, if families have to move away. As Representative, I will support local community efforts to identify solutions, keeping in mind that one size won't fit all.

Montana leads the nation in suicide deaths and lacks mental health resources. As a mental health expert, I know that these problems can be addressed effectively and without creating huge new budget burdens. Providing quality mental health care improves patients' well-being and productivity. It also saves people, businesses, and the State money. As Representative, I will ensure that the State invests in the infrastructure and staff capacity building needed to deliver quality care; reduces inefficiencies or costly bureaucratic policies; and fully utilizes federal funds to which we are entitled.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Marty Malone (R)

Agricultural Profitability

Fair Tax System

Balanced Approach to the Use of Natural Resources

Ruth Weissman (D)

I am passionate about all responsibilities of public service as a Representative.

Most fundamentally, I believe that the responsibility of a Representative is to, as the name implies, REPRESENT the people in my district. This means that I will actively solicit the views and needs of the people I have been elected to represent. Because my constituents likely will have a wide range of views, it also means that I will actively work to forge common ground. I will make every effort to hear all perspectives, to use data and other sources of best practices, to be transparent in my decision making, and to propose solutions that integrate all sources of information.

I do not seek office to advance my personal interests or impose upon the voters my opinions. I am not beholden to any interest group and therefore can fairly represent everyone in my district.

I pledge to fulfill all three aspects of the role of Representative: I promise to...

1) PROPOSE LEGISLATION that address the major challenges confronting people in my District and the State.

2) ALLOCATE FUNDING prudently. People in Montana work hard and deserve a government that spends tax money thoughtfully. It is possible to balance public need and fiscal responsibility by reducing waste, implementing cost-effective programs, and investing in prevention.

3) PROVIDE APPROPRIATE OVERSIGHT of the Executive Branch and do so fairly and without trying to score political points.

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

Marty Malone (R)

Ronald Reagan This past president was a master at keeping the United States conservative.

Ruth Weissman (D)

One of my role models is my grandmother who was widowed young and raised four children on a hard-scrabble farm. She was a devote Christian who practiced her faith's lessons and was kind and generous to all. Well into her old age, she worked hard and found ways to make herself useful. She never said an unkind word about anyone and always looked for ways to share with her family or neighbors any resources she could spare.

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

Marty Malone (R)

American Marxism

Ruth Weissman (D)

The righteous mind by Jonathan Haight.

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

Marty Malone (R)

Honesty and Integrity

Ruth Weissman (D)

Honesty and integrity. Representing all constituents, not merely one's own party loyalists.

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

Marty Malone (R)

I am honest, I have integrity, a good communicator

Ruth Weissman (D)

independent; open-minded; service-oriented; fair; hard-working; civic-minded.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Marty Malone (R)

Attending every committee meeting prepared and ready to debate the issues.

Ruth Weissman (D)

Passing meaningful laws; budgeting, allocation of state funding; oversight of the executive branch.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Marty Malone (R)

He Made a Disfference

Ruth Weissman (D)

Improved political climate--i.e., less division between "Red" and "Blue"

Improved mental health services and suicide prevention A workable plan to address affordable housing

Improved support of public schools

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

Marty Malone (R)

I remember the earthquake at quake lake near Yellowstone National Park. I clearly emmeber the rolling sensation at night. The force of the quake tossed me off the bed onto the floor. I also remember the hot spring water turning nearly black due the underground disruptions.

Ruth Weissman (D)

The assassination of President Kennedy was the event that most affected me personally. I was 10 years old; my family did not have television, but I was glued to the radio. My family came from very humble beginnings, and he was near-God like in stature as President of the USA and a strong supporter of my country of birth, Germany (With his famous speech in Berlin where he said "Ich bin ein Berliner"). The huge price he and his family paid for his public service was a gut punch.

Another memorable event was the State visit of Queen Elizabeth. A relative took me to watch her motorcade drive by. Again, she felt near God-like and both Kennedy and the Queen were perfect models of public service. It was a memorable moment because for the first time I felt the power of a political figure over a crowd.

As a child, I thought the role of politician was reserved for the privileged few. While I MOST CERTAINLY am not implying that I am ANYWHERE NEAR these incredible individuals, as I got older, I came to realize that public service can be practiced by anyone and that even types of service far below that of a President are meaningful and important. Montana's model of citizen legislature is exemplary for enabling everyday citizens such as myself to serve their community without creating needless hierarchies and privileges. I intend to be a servant to my community.

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

Marty Malone (R)

I was a horse wrangler at Chico Hot Springs at age 17. I keep the job for four summers. My responsibility at that job was to gather up the horses, saddle them. ensure the safety of the riders and take them on a trail ride.

Ruth Weissman (D)

For one year, I was a Masters level psychotherapist at a small rehabilitation center. At only 26 years of age, although I receive positive work evaluations, I felt that I could do better if I sought additional training. So I quit my job and earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of South Carolina. My excellent doctoral training at this public university laid the foundation for a gratifying and successful career.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Marty Malone (R)

American Marxism -- Provide knowledge to debate liberals.

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

Marty Malone (R)

18 Inches of Rain

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Ruth Weissman (D)

Multiple losses of family members at a young age.

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

Marty Malone (R)

There is a hallway that leads to the legislative chamber and also leads to the Governor's Office. It is critical that both branches of government communicate. The Governor needs to know each legislator and take the time to listen.

Ruth Weissman (D)

One of mutual respect and recognition that each have their roles and responsibilities.

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

Marty Malone (R)

Keeping taxes low and government smaller.

Ruth Weissman (D)

Managing growth. Balancing access to and conservation of natural resources. Providing affordable and effective healthcare, including mental health services and prevention.

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

Marty Malone (R)

Yes.

Ruth Weissman (D)

Previous experience is always a benefit, but at the same token, I believe that lack of experience in government or politics need not be a detriment if a candidate has other relevant experience. For example, in my case, I bring extensive experience in mental health and public policy; I have extensive experience in working with complex data to inform policy; and I have extensive leadership experience including a stint as Vice-President of a university. I believe that the legislature needs people with varying backgrounds to fulfill its mandate. No one person will be expert of or experienced in all aspects relevant to governance. For example, in terms of substantive topics, I would bring great strength in anything related to education and to healthcare. Topical areas aside, I bring skills and experiences that are relevant across core issues relevant to the governance of Montana. These include an ability to listen, collect information, make data-informed decisions, communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, ethics training, people management, budget management, and leadership.

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

Marty Malone (R)

Very beneficial. It is important to take the time to learn about their passions. On both sides of the aisle

Ruth Weissman (D)

I believe it is essential to build relationships with other legislators so that mutual understanding and cooperation become possible. I believe that if people have positive relationships and mutual respect, they will be better able to hear other viewpoints and find fair compromises. Politics have become too tribal, and if elected, I will work hard to be open minded and establish respectful relationships with all my fellow legislators.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Marty Malone (R)

Minimal splitting of Conty boundaries.

Ruth Weissman (D)

Fundamentally, voters should choose politicians, not the other way around.

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

Ruth Weissman (D)

I am open to a wide range of service and hope to be assigned to committees that draw upon my experience such as health and human services; education; or fiscal planning and oversight. Throughout my career I have learned new skills and, therefore, I am completely open to committee service even if it were to require that I extensively educate myself in new areas. Bottom line: I will serve where I am most needed.

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

Marty Malone (R)

Tax -- the ability of this committee to influence new businesses and keep property taxes low.

Agriculture -- I make a substantial portion of my living from agricultural production. It is important to keep ranches profitable.

Natural Resource -- This committee keeps excessive regulations from negatively impacting business and jobs.

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

Marty Malone (R)

William Mercer

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

Marty Malone (R)

No

Ruth Weissman (D)

No. I have no aspirations beyond serving my neighbors at the level of the legislature.

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?

Ruth Weissman (D)

A resident in my district has overcome multiple bouts of cancer. She has dealt with this hardship by reaching out to others with similar health problems, creating a weekly survivor group, visiting others in need (bringing them homegrown flowers or homemade food), and advocating for healthcare services for people in need. She has learned that spending time in nature helps her mood and to give herself a reason to go out, she created a walking group (all-comers invited) and organizes weekly hikes exploring the many trails in our district. I admire her ability to move beyond her (very real) personal pain and direct her coping in ways that benefit others.

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

Marty Malone (R)

That is the job of the Executive branch for normal emergencies. If the emergency lasts more than 90 days, the legislature needs to convene.

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

Marty Malone (R)

I believe in listening to both sides of an issue. I will always vote for what I believe in. I believe in stating my position clearly and accurately.

Ruth Weissman (D)

Yes, but it should not come at the cost of one's core values.

See also

More about these elections:

• Montana House of Representatives elections, 2022

Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:

District 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13District 14District 15District 16District 17District 18District 19District 20District 21District 22District 23District 24District 25District 26District 27District 28District 29District 30District 31District 32District 33District 34District 35District 36District 37District 38District 39District 40District 41District 42District 43District 44District 45District 46District 47District 48District 49District 50District 51District 52District 53District 54District 55District 56District 57District 58District 59District 60District 61District 62District 63District 64District 65District 66District 67District 68District 69District 70District 71District 72District 73District 74District 75District 76District 77District 78District 79District 80District 81District 82District 83District 84District 85District 86District 87District 88District 89District 90District 91District 92District 93District 94District 95District 96District 97District 98District 99District 100Submit