Ross Fitzgerald

Ross Fitzgerald

Republican Party

Prior offices

Montana House of Representatives District 17

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Ross Fitzgerald (Republican Party) was a member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 17. He assumed office in 2017. He left office on January 6, 2025.

Fitzgerald (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Montana House of Representatives to represent District 17. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Fitzgerald was assigned to the following committees:

• Business and Labor Committee
• Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, Chair
• House Legislative Administration Committee
• House Natural Resources Committee

2021-2022

Fitzgerald was assigned to the following committees:

• Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, Chair
• House Natural Resources Committee
• Business and Labor Committee

2019-2020

Fitzgerald was assigned to the following committees:

• Business and Labor Committee
• Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee, Vice Chair
• House Natural Resources Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2017
• Business and Labor
• Local Government
• Natural Resources

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2024

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2024

Ross Fitzgerald was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.

2022

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 17

Incumbent Ross Fitzgerald defeated Barnett Sporkin-Morrison in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 17 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ross Fitzgerald (R)	76.9	3,500
	Submit photo	Barnett Sporkin-Morrison (D)	23.1	1,049

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,549
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 17

Barnett Sporkin-Morrison advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 17 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Barnett Sporkin-Morrison	100.0	455

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 455
= 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 17

Incumbent Ross Fitzgerald defeated Justin Cleveland in the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 17 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ross Fitzgerald	60.3	1,669
	Submit photo	Justin Cleveland	39.7	1,097

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,766
= 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.

2020

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 17

Incumbent Ross Fitzgerald defeated Barnett Sporkin-Morrison in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 17 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ross Fitzgerald (R)	78.5	4,452
	Submit photo	Barnett Sporkin-Morrison (D)	21.5	1,219

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,671
= 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 17

Barnett Sporkin-Morrison advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 17 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Barnett Sporkin-Morrison	100.0	820

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 820
= 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 17

Incumbent Ross Fitzgerald advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 17 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ross Fitzgerald	100.0	2,634

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,634
= 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.

2018

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 17

Incumbent Ross Fitzgerald defeated Richard Kerr in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 17 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ross Fitzgerald (R)	74.7	3,595
	Submit photo	Richard Kerr (D)	25.3	1,217

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,812
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Leonard Bates (D)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 17

Leonard Bates advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 17 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Leonard Bates	100.0	691

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 691
= 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 17

Incumbent Ross Fitzgerald defeated Andrew Watson in the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 17 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ross Fitzgerald	75.8	1,629
	Submit photo	Andrew Watson	24.2	519

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 2,148
= 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.

2016

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 14, 2016. Incumbent Christy Clark (R) did not seek re-election.

Ross Fitzgerald defeated Barnett Sporkin-Morrison in the Montana House of Representatives District 17 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 17 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Ross Fitzgerald	74.37%	3,700
	Democratic	Barnett Sporkin-Morrison	25.63%	1,275
Total Votes				4,975
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Barnett Sporkin-Morrison ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 17 Democratic primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 17 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Barnett Sporkin-Morrison  (unopposed)

Ross Fitzgerald defeated David Brownell and Charlie Brown in the Montana House of Representatives District 17 Republican primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 17 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Ross Fitzgerald	52.89%	1,069
	Republican	David Brownell	24.59%	497
	Republican	Charlie Brown	22.51%	455
Total Votes				2,021
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ross Fitzgerald did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Ross Fitzgerald did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Fitzgerald's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“	As a Republican candidate my goals are to provide: Smaller State Government Tax Relief Personal and Property Rights Protection	”
—Ross Fitzgerald

Campaign finance summary

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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.

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Ross Fitzgerald campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Montana House of Representatives District 17	Won general	$14,490	$0
2020	Montana House of Representatives District 17	Won general	$4,209	N/A**
2018	Montana House of Representatives District 17	Won general	$6,237	N/A**
2016	Montana House of Representatives, District 17	Won	$9,115	N/A**
Grand total			$34,051	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Montana

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Montana scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

In 2024, the Montana State Legislature was not in session.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 2 to May 2. Forward Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. Montana Audubon Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Federation of Public Employees Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. Montana Human Rights Network Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Montana State AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].
In 2022, the Montana State Legislature was not in session.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 4 to April 29. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Forward Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. Montana Audubon Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Farm Bureau Federation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Montana Federation of Public Employees Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. Montana Human Rights Network Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Montana Public Interest Research Group Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana State AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. Montanans for Limited Government Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].
In 2020, the Montana State Legislature was not in session.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 7 through April 25. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Montana Audubon Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Environmental Information Center: 2019 Senate and House voting records Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment. Montana Farm Bureau Federation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Montana Human Rights Network Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Montana Public Interest Research Group Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana State AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
In 2018, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 2 through April 28. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Lewistown Tea Party: 2017 House and Senate scorecard Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party. Montana Audubon Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Contrators' Association Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to the interests of the construction industry. Montana Environmental Information Center: 2017 Senate and House voting records Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment. Montana Farm Bureau Federation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Montana Human Rights Network Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana State AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

Noteworthy events

Tested positive for coronavirus on February 12, 2021

See also: Politicians, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with or quarantined due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
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On February 12, 2021, Fitzgerald announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.

See also

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Candidate

Montana House of Representatives District 17

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Montana House of Representatives District 17 2017-2025	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Montana House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Brandon Ler

Majority Leader:Steve Fitzpatrick

Minority Leader:Katie Sullivan

Representatives

District 1

Neil Duram (R)

District 2

Tom Millett (R)

District 3

Debo Powers (D)

District 4

Lyn Bennett (R)

District 5

Braxton Mitchell (R)

District 6

Amy Regier (R)

District 7

Courtenay Sprunger (R)

District 8

Lukas Schubert (R)

District 9

Steven Kelly (R)

District 10

Terry Falk (R)

District 11

Ed Byrne (R)

District 12

Tracy Sharp (R)

District 13

Linda Reksten (R)

District 14

Paul Fielder (R)

District 15

Thedis Crowe (D)

District 16

Tyson Running Wolf (D)

District 17

Zachary Wirth (R)

District 18

Llew Jones (R)

District 19

Jane Weber (D)

District 20

Melissa Nikolakakos (R)

District 21

Edward Buttrey (R)

District 22

George Nikolakakos (R)

District 23

Eric Tilleman (R)

District 24

Steve Fitzpatrick (R)

District 25

Steve Gist (R)

District 26

Russ Miner (R)

District 27

Paul Tuss (D)

District 28

Eric Albus (R)

District 29

Valerie Moore (R)

District 30

Morgan Thiel (R)

District 31

Frank Smith (D)

District 32

Mike Fox (D)

District 33

Brandon Ler (R)

District 34

Jerry Schillinger (R)

District 35

Gary Parry (R)

District 36

Greg Kmetz (R)

District 37

Shane Klakken (R)

District 38

Greg Oblander (R)

District 39

Kerri Seekins-Crowe (R)

District 40

Mike Vinton (R)

District 41

Jade Sooktis (D)

District 42

Sidney Fitzpatrick (D)

District 43

Larry Brewster (R)

District 44

Katie Zolnikov (R)

District 45

Denise Baum (D)

District 46

Denise Joy (D)

District 47

James Reavis (D)

District 48

Curtis Schomer (R)

District 49

Sherry Essmann (R)

District 50

Anthony Nicastro (R)

District 51

Jodee Etchart (R)

District 52

Bill Mercer (R)

District 53

Nelly Nicol (R)

District 54

Lee Deming (R)

District 55

Brad Barker (R)

District 56

Fiona Nave (R)

District 57

Scott Rosenzweig (D)

District 58

Jamie Isaly (D)

District 59

Ed Stafman (D)

District 60

Alanah Griffith (D)

District 61

Becky Edwards (D)

District 62

Josh Seckinger (D)

District 63

Peter Strand (D)

District 64

Kelly Kortum (D)

District 65

Brian Close (D)

District 66

Eric Matthews (D)

District 67

Jedediah Hinkle (R)

District 68

Caleb Hinkle (R)

District 69

Kenneth Walsh (R)

District 70

Shannon Maness (R)

District 71

Scott DeMarois (D)

District 72

Donavon Hawk (D)

District 73

Jennifer Lynch (D)

District 74

Marc Lee (D)

District 75

Mark Reinschmidt (R)

District 76

John Fitzpatrick (R)

District 77

Jane Gillette (R)

District 78

Randyn Gregg (R)

District 79

Luke Muszkiewicz (D)

District 80

Melissa Romano (D)

District 81

Mary Caferro (D)

District 82

Pete Elverum (D)

District 83

Jill Cohenour (D)

District 84

Julie Darling (R)

District 85

Kathy Love (R)

District 86

David Bedey (R)

District 87

Terry Nelson (R)

District 88

Greg Overstreet (R)

District 89

Mark Thane (D)

District 90

Curtis Cochran (R)

District 91

Shelly Fyant (D)

District 92

Connie Keogh (D)

District 93

Katie Sullivan (D)

District 94

Marilyn Marler (D)

District 95

Zooey Zephyr (D)

District 96

Bob Carter (D)

District 97

Melody Cunningham (D)

District 98

Jonathan Karlen (D)

District 99

Tom France (D)

District 100

SJ Howell (D)

Republican Party (58)

Democratic Party (42)