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Sandor Hopkins

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Sandor Hopkins
Image of Sandor Hopkins

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

C.M. Russell High School

Bachelor's

Montana State University, Bozeman, 2013

Personal
Birthplace
Newark, Del.
Religion
None
Profession
Real estate consultant
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal Instagram

Sandor Hopkins (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Montana House of Representatives to represent District 23. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Hopkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Sandor Hopkins was born in Newark, Delaware. He graduated from C.M. Russell High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Montana State University, Bozeman in 2013. His career experience includes working as a real estate consultant, land-use planner, in logistics and distribution management, and as a produce clerk.[1]

Hopkins has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

  • Maclean Cameron Animal Adoption Center
  • Montana Association of Registered Land Surveyors
  • American Institute of Certified Planners
  • Association of State Floodplain Managers
  • Montana Title Insurance Producers

Elections

2024

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 23

Eric Tilleman defeated Sandor Hopkins and Kevin Leatherbarrow in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Eric Tilleman
Eric Tilleman (R)
 
56.2
 
2,504
Image of Sandor Hopkins
Sandor Hopkins (D) Candidate Connection
 
40.7
 
1,811
Image of Kevin Leatherbarrow
Kevin Leatherbarrow (L)
 
3.1
 
137

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,452
Candidate Connection = 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.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23

Sandor Hopkins advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Sandor Hopkins
Sandor Hopkins Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
838

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 838
Candidate Connection = 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 House of Representatives District 23

Eric Tilleman defeated Pete Anderson, John Proud, and Josh Denully in the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Eric Tilleman
Eric Tilleman
 
61.0
 
822
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Pete Anderson
 
21.7
 
293
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
John Proud
 
13.7
 
185
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Josh Denully
 
3.6
 
48

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,348
Candidate Connection = 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.

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Kevin Leatherbarrow advanced from the Libertarian primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hopkins in this election.

Pledges

Hopkins signed the following pledges.

  • U.S. Term Limits

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Sandor Hopkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hopkins' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I grew up in an Air Force family, yet have lived most of my life in Great Falls. I graduated from CMR High School in 2005 and Montana State University - Bozeman in 2013 with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, and a focus on International Relations. I currently live with my wife on the lower south side of Great Falls, and enjoy spending time in my community and on our public lands.

I am a project manager for a land surveying company that does business across Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. I have been a Certified Floodplain Manager since 2018, a Trustee for the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center since 2020, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners since June of 2023. I have worked on both the public and private side of land-use planning, and understand the challenges and limitations faced by landowners and renters seeking affordable housing.

Foremost, I believe that Montanans in Great Falls and across the state are feeling the strain of an inadequate housing supply and soaring costs of living, impacting every aspect of daily life. I was privileged to be a part of a working group that drafted Senate Bill 382, known as the Montana Land Use Planning Act, which was approved with broad bi-partisan support and signed by Governor Gianforte on May 17, 2023. I want to ensure that this Act becomes a reality and improves the lives of everyone who chooses to live in our great State.
  • Affordable Housing. I am a professional Land-Use Planner and I would like to bring my expertise to the Montana Legislature.
  • Property Taxes. There is significant strain on residential land-owners with significant increases in property taxes this year, as a result of inaction from the Montana Legislature. I will fight to reign in residential property taxes and ensure that limited tax breaks are given to major corporations and utility companies.
  • Healthcare (Medicaid Expansion). I believe in preserving Medicaid in the State of Montana, investing in mental and preventative healthcare services, and limiting government involvement in private medical decisions, such as abortion access and gender-affirming care.
Land-Use Planning

Public Lands and Conservation
Healthcare

Infrastructure
I look up to my parents. They raised two well-adjusted adults, had a long successful careers, and consistently advocated for volunteerism and standing up for decency and fairness. I feel they have left big shoes to fill and I hope to be able to do that.
My political philosophy is an amalgamation of a variety of classical and modern political theorists. I am partial to Butler, Arendt, Kant, Voltaire, Thoreau, Chomsky, Locke, Burke, Friedman, Mill, Paine, and Rousseau.
Integrity, transparency, and responsiveness to constituents. I believe elected officials should focus on policy and matters that benefit the public they serve, and should avoid using political office to wage culture wars.
I believe that I am a good negotiator and compromiser. I believe in the value of public service, and will listen to my constituents, and understand that the world is not black and white, but rich and diverse in color and nuance. I am level-headed and focused on serious issues rather than political grandstanding and posturing.
Management of statutory framework and budgeting. Legislators should focus on how to improve Montana Code and enact language that is clear, concise, and direct.
I would like to leave a legacy of making the world a better place. Affordable housing, animal welfare, expanded healthcare, and instill a sense of positivity and decency within those around me. I want to make a positive difference in the lives of as many people as possible. Being remembered is less important to me than leaving a positive impact on the world.
The first major historical event I remember was the construction of the International Space Station. I remember reading about it with wonder and awe as a child and following its development over the years. I was in elementary and middle school, and fascinated with space.
My first job was as a english and math tutor at a Kumon Math and Reading Center. I first took this job in middle school, and kept it for approximately 3 years before my family moved to another state.
Hyperion by Dan Simmons. I am a huge fan of science fiction and Simmons is an excellent writer. His ability to nest several stories within an overarching story, and weave commentary on social issues into those stories is beautifully wrought and compelling.
James Holden - The Expanse
Use Me - Bill Withers
I have struggled with mental health issues through my life and been affected by the mental health issues of others. It took some time before I was financially secure, and I know the struggles faced by those living on the fringes of society, as I have been there myself.

This is why a key part of my platform is providing adequate healthcare to people and investing in mental health services and care.
I believe in the system of check-and-balances, and I am cautious of the executive branch using its power to coerce legislators. I do believe that the governor is also responsible for enacting law and should play a role in the process, but ultimately it is Legislator's responsibility to ensure that State-level directives operate effectively at the local level and in a way that benefits their constituency.
I believe that land-use management is the most important issue facing Montana. There is significant strain on our housing supply and it is our responsibility to manage growth in the State with an eye to preserving our public lands and agricultural economy, while providing affordable housing and manageable property taxes.
Yes. I have worked for my local government in several roles over the years, and from that experience I have gained knowledge of the inner workings of City and County Government in the State. As a private sector worker, I continue to work with jurisdictions across Montana and interact daily with elected official and government workers.
Yes. Legislation requires a majority vote to pass, and without support from other legislators one could not effectively do their job. As a candidate for the minority party, this is even more important, as my legislation is unlikely to pass without support from the other party.
I would like to think of myself as a Statesman, rather than a politician. I admire the works of Mike Mansfield, Max Baucus, Jeanette Rankin, and Elouise Cobell.
I do not see myself running for a political office higher than the State Legislature; however, I may consider running for a local office in the future.
In my time canvassing, I have found that many people are concerned about their housing security and that of their children. I do not have a specific story, as I have heard this same story so many times I have lost count. Even in wealthy neighborhoods, those residents understand that housing needs extend beyond their own security. While they love their children, many are ready for their adult children to move out, and realize that market forces are hindering that leap.
What do you call an indecisive bee?

A May-bee
Yes
I have my sights set on reform and clarification of several elements within the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act, as well as the State's Floodplain Management Regulations.

Specifically, I would like to reintroduce the Occasional Sale Subdivision Exemption, and roll-back changes made to the Family Gift or Sale Subdivision Exemption.
Center for Freethought Equality

Montana Conservation Voters

US Term Limits
Ethics

Energy Technology and Federal Relations
Fish Wildlife and Parks
Human Services
Local Government
Natural Resources

Transportation
I believe that the government is accountable to voters and elected officials bear a fiduciary responsibility to manage tax dollars and government resources effectively.
I believe that the state ballot initiative process is effective. Several petition-driven ballot initiatives have made the November ballot and show that the system as it is currently works. I am not aware of issues with the process.

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.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Sandor Hopkins campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Montana House of Representatives District 23Lost general$11,238 $0
Grand total$11,238 $0
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

2024 Elections

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External links

Candidate

Montana House of Representatives District 23
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    Personal

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 15, 2024


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