Montana State Senate District 34 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Montana, 2022

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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 State Senate District 34 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 State Senate District 34

Shelley Vance defeated Damion Lynn in the general election for Montana State Senate District 34 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Shelley Vance (R)	63.9	6,516
		Damion Lynn (D)	36.1	3,683

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,199
= 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?

Damion Lynn (D)

Residents of SD 34 face the problems of an absence of affordable housing, low wages, and expensive healthcare. I face these problems as well, so I bring a fresh perspective to years long problems and a willingness to work across the aisle.

As a Montanan and a blue-collar worker, I want to take my experiences to the state legislature to increase the quality of life for everyone in SD 34.

As a water sewer operator, I am familiar with the difficulties of improving and maintaining infrastructure. I can use that information to convince both party members of the importance of using federal and state funds rather than relying solely on property taxes to fund these projects.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Damion Lynn (D)

We need to expand public infrastructure; this will create jobs while increasing the services provided to the residents of SD 34. Wastewater reclamation facilities are our best method of protecting our streams, reducing our water consumption, and recycling wastewater into usable water. We need to more quickly repair potholes in our roads, expand internet access, and diversify our energy production.

I grew up in our Montana public schools and was able to experience an incredible variety of education. From science fairs to welding, the teachers, bus drivers, and janitors dedicated so much to provide me with a brilliant education. For decades, our school system has been underfunded. The staff at every level deserve higher pay. The lack of pay has led to OPI declaring an emergency deficit of teachers in the state. Since the state has failed to do this, local property taxes have risen to try to fill the gap. We need to rebalance that relationship and create a competitive edge to hire qualified teachers, which will improve our students' education.

Montana lacks mental health care. I want to expand that to SD 34 residents because I have seen the change in a person that results from adequate resources. During my time in school, there were seven deaths by suicide of young people battling mental health issues. That is unacceptable. I want to make sure no child chooses that action. I want to make sure that our community members that need help with mental health or addiction can access

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

Damion Lynn (D)

Avoiding conflicts of interests, being transparent, and competently serving the voters.

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

Damion Lynn (D)

I am hard working, willing to work across the aisle, and dedicated to serving my community.

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

Damion Lynn (D)

To serve my constituents by listening to the issues most affecting them, then advocating for change to improve their lives by writing bills and debating bills others have written.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Damion Lynn (D)

That I empowered more people to vote and become invested in our election system.

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

Damion Lynn (D)

My first job was in Highschool, I worked at a local store that sold hardware and tools. My title was bag boy and I worked there for two years part time and full time.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Damion Lynn (D)

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. It was an incredible illustration of the desperate condition of humanity and an interesting take on the idea of alien thought processes.

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

Damion Lynn (D)

To work together to improve the state. I believe a governor should not stand against a legislature but when laws are passed that clearly violate the constitution they veto them to save the tax payers money.

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

Damion Lynn (D)

Failing public education due to lack of funds to pay teachers, drought as we receive less snowpack, and lack of housing for workers.

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

Damion Lynn (D)

Yes.

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

Damion Lynn (D)

Yes, relationships between legislators helps each person come from a place of understanding when they disagree. Without this relationship compromise is less likely to happen.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Damion Lynn (D)

Independent commissions whose goal is to group communities together. This commission would vote on publicly submitted maps and the selected map cannot unduly favor or disfavor of any political party. Then the states supreme court will have original jurisdiction over any challenges.

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

Damion Lynn (D)

Education and cultural resources, senate taxation, senate local government, senate judiciary, public health, safety and welfare.

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

Damion Lynn (D)

Yes.

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

Damion Lynn (D)

Yes, I will be working with folks representing communities that are very different than mine. All policymaking needs members to be able to compromise.

See also

More about these elections:

• Montana State Senate elections, 2022

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