Montana House of Representatives District 96 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 96 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 96

Jonathan Karlen defeated incumbent Kathy Whitman in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 96 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jonathan Karlen (D)	53.0	3,035
		Kathy Whitman (R)	47.0	2,688

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,723
= 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?

Jonathan Karlen (D)

It’s time for good-faith collaboration in Helena.

I will always listen to all perspectives, be reachable, and advocate for policies that address constituent concerns.

I will reach across the aisle to lower property taxes for the working Montanans, ensure that families can afford childcare, healthcare, and housing, and promote science-based management of our land and wildlife.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Jonathan Karlen (D)

I have broad policy interests, with much of my experience in fields related to natural resources, wildlife, climate change, and energy. I believe strongly that all policy areas are connected, and that in order to tackle issues like climate change, we need to have a fair and effective tax code, great schools, affordable healthcare, a strong economy, and laws that protect human rights. I look forward to working with constituents and community organizations to make meaningful progress on a wide variety of policy issues important to Montanans.

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

Jonathan Karlen (D)

I can’t just choose one person, so I’ve put a short list below:

John Lewis: For his perseverance to fight for democracy, justice, and civil rights when confronted with deeply entrenched opposition.

Henry Clay: For putting country over party when it mattered most.

Jeanette Rankin: For her lifetime of public service and brave leadership which left Montana and the nation a more just and fair place. I also admire the courage she had in her convictions to always do the right thing even if it came at a steep political cost.

George Bird Grinnell: For his humility and habit of thinking far ahead of his time, resulting in conservation of the Nation’s most treasured natural resources, like Glacier National Park.

Abraham Lincon: For his leadership skills and decision to fill his cabinet with people who often disagreed with him.

Lyndon B. Johnson: For his ability to forge compromise and build relationships with lawmakers of all backgrounds, resulting in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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

Jonathan Karlen (D)

Problem Solver– A great legislator will be able to collaborate with others and think creatively to solve challenging problems.

Integrity– A legislator should always put their constituents, state, and country over party. The policymaking process works best when leaders are honest with their constituents and stakeholders.

Compassion– Elected officials make decisions that impact people’s lives, sometimes drastically. I believe that elected officials need to listen to those most affected by a policy, and always be able to explain their perspective.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Jonathan Karlen (D)

Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin

The book is a fascinating comparison of Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson, and the formation of their leadership qualities that led the United States through our most challenging times.

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

Jonathan Karlen (D)

A key challenge I hope to address is that our property tax system is stifling the economic mobility of Montanans. From Montana's 12 million tourists visiting each year, to our vast natural resource reserves, we have robust revenue streams that can sustainably relieve the property tax burden facing middle-class families.

Climate change is also one of the most serious, long-term threats we face. We are already seeing how climate change is adversely impacting Montana's ecosystems, infrastructure, and economy. I believe that Montana is at a critical juncture: by investing now in renewable energy, carbon sequestration, and resilient ecosystems, we can lower energy prices, spur investment in our state, and create high-paying jobs throughout Montana.

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

Jonathan Karlen (D)

I believe that an effective legislature will be comprised of lawmakers of all backgrounds, including those with and without prior political experience.

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

Jonathan Karlen (D)

Absolutely. I believe that forming meaningful relationships with legislators on both sides of the aisle lays the foundation for compromise and bipartisanship.

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

Jonathan Karlen (D)

Yes. My campaign is premised on compromise and working across party lines. It's clear that Montanans see results when their leaders work together in good faith. I believe most Montanans would agree that our tax code should promote economic mobility, that every child deserves an excellent education, that working families should be able to afford childcare, healthcare, and housing, and that science should be the basis for management of land and wildlife. When we start by working toward our shared goals, we will be more effective in addressing more controversial issues.

See also

More about these elections:

• Montana House of Representatives elections, 2022

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