Brad Hamlett

This page was current at the end of the official's last term in office covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Brad Hamlett

Democratic Party

Prior offices:

Montana House of Representatives District 23

Years in office: 2017 - 2021

Successor: Scot Kerns (R)

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Montana State Senate District 15

Years in office: 2009 - 2017

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 7, 2022

Contact

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Brad Hamlett (Democratic Party) was a member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 23. He assumed office in 2017. He left office on January 3, 2021.

Hamlett (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Montana House of Representatives to represent District 23. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 7, 2022.

Hamlett is a former Democratic member of the Montana State Senate, representing District 15 from 2009 to 2017. Hamlett did not seek re-election to the Montana State Senate in 2016 because he was term-limited.

Committee assignments

2019-2020

Hamlett was assigned to the following committees:

• Appropriations Committee
• House Ethics Committee, Vice Chair
• Education Committee

2017 legislative session

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

Montana committee assignments, 2017
• Appropriations
• Education

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Hamlett served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2015
• Education
• Natural Resources
• Fish and Game
• Finance and Claims

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Hamlett served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2013
• Finance and Claims
• Fish and Game
• Natural Resources
• Education

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Hamlett served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2011
• Finance and Claims
• Fish and Game
• Natural Resources
• Education

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Hamlett served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2009
• Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation
• Education and Cultural Resources
• Taxation

Issues

Arts council

Supporters of the Montana Arts Council made their case for funding in front of lawmakers during a Joint Subcommittee on Education meeting in early January 2011. At the time, the organization received around $450,000 a year from the general fund, another $200,000 from the coal tax, and $800,000 from the federal government, according to Montana Arts Council Executive Director Arlynn Fishbaugh.

Fishbaugh said a push to eliminate the Arts Council around 1994 resulted in the group refocusing their efforts.

“For something to be worthy of state investment, there has to be a return on public investment funds,” she said.

The arts brought in $4.5 million in tax revenue to the state, Fishbaugh told legislators. Bob Wagner requested the organization provide figures about how much the state provided in tax refunds for art donations. Wagner said he understood the value of the arts.

"The structure of how we fund it has to make business sense,” said Wagner.

Hamlett said the testimony from Arts Council supporters was “very compelling.”

“Keeping kids engaged in school is very important,” Hamlett said.

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

2022

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 23

Incumbent Scot Kerns defeated Melissa Smith in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scot Kerns (R)	54.6	1,572
		Melissa Smith (D)	45.4	1,306

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,878
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23

Melissa Smith defeated Brad Hamlett in the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melissa Smith	51.5	319
		Brad Hamlett	48.5	300

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 619
= 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

Incumbent Scot Kerns advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scot Kerns	100.0	843

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 843
= 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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2020

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 23

Scot Kerns defeated incumbent Brad Hamlett in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scot Kerns (R)	51.3	2,079
		Brad Hamlett (D)	48.7	1,972

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,051
= 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 23

Incumbent Brad Hamlett advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brad Hamlett	100.0	1,085

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,085
= 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

Scot Kerns advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scot Kerns	100.0	1,047

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,047
= 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 23

Incumbent Brad Hamlett defeated William Smith in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brad Hamlett (D)	54.9	1,849
	Submit photo	William Smith (R)	45.1	1,519

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,368
= 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 23

Incumbent Brad Hamlett advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brad Hamlett	100.0	1,058

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 1,058
= 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

William Smith advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 23 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	William Smith	100.0	634

---

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

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.

Brad Hamlett defeated Mark Dunn in the Montana House of Representatives District 23 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 23 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Brad Hamlett	50.83%	1,817
	Republican	Mark Dunn	49.17%	1,758
Total Votes				3,575
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Brad Hamlett ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 23 Democratic primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 23 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Brad Hamlett  (unopposed)

Mark Dunn ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 23 Republican primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 23 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Mark Dunn  (unopposed)

2012

See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2012

Hamlett won re-election in the 2012 election for Montana State Senate, District 47. Hamlett ran unopposed in the June 5 primary election and defeated Wendy McKamey (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.

Montana State Senate, District 10, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Brad Hamlett Incumbent	51.1%	4,078
	Republican	Wendy McKamey	48.9%	3,907
Total Votes				7,985

2008

On November 4, 2008, Hamlett won election to the 10th District Seat in the Montana State Senate, defeating Jim Whitaker (R).

Montana State Senate, District 10 (2008)
Candidates		Votes
Brad Hamlett (D)		4,102
Jim Whitaker (R)		3,937

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Brad Hamlett did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Brad Hamlett did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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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Brad Hamlett campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Montana House of Representatives District 23	Lost primary	$3,479	$0
2020	Montana House of Representatives District 23	Lost general	$3,090	N/A**
2018	Montana House of Representatives District 23	Won general	$4,970	N/A**
2016	Montana House of Representatives, District 23	Won	$3,750	N/A**
2012	Montana Senate, District 10	Won	$13,319	N/A**
2008	Montana Senate, District 10	Won	$10,296	N/A**
2006	Montana House, District 19	Lost	$10,979	N/A**
2004	Montana House, District 19	Lost	$531	N/A**
2002	Montana House, District 50	Lost	$2,100	N/A**
** 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.

2020

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.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].
In 2016, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 5 through April 28. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Lewistown Tea Party: 2015 House and Senate scorecard Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party. MEA-MFT: 2015 Legislature Legislators are scored on bills deemed important by MEA-MFT to the state teachers' union. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on business and economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters: 2015 State Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to conservation and the environment. Montana Family Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes for or against Montana Family Foundation's position. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on bills relating to public land management and wildlife issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Montana: 2015 Voting Record Legislators are scored on bills relating to reproductive health issues. Northern Plains Resource Council: Voting Record - 2015 Montana Legislature Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana: 2015 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to property rights.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].
In 2014, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 7 to April 27. Lewistown Tea Party: 2013 House and Senate scorecard Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party. MEA-MFT: 2013 Legislature Legislators are scored on bills deemed important by MEA-MFT to the state teachers' union. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on business and economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters: 2013 State Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on conservative and environmental issues. Montana Contractors' Association Legislators are scored by the Montana Contractors' Association on their votes on "environmental legislation, worker’s comp issues, repressive labor legislation and unfair business and employment practices." Montana Environmental Information Center: 2013 Senate and House voting records Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment. Montana Family Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes for or against Montana Family Foundation's position. Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG): 2013 Montana Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored by MontPIRG on their votes on "issues that best advance the public interest here in our state." Montana Weed Control Association: 2013 Legislative Report & Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to noxious weed management in Montana. NARAL Pro-Choice Montana: 2013 Voting Record Legislators are scored on bills relating to reproductive health issues. Northern Plains Resource Council: Voting Record - 2013 Montana Legislature Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. United Property Owners of Montana: 2013 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to property rights.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].
In 2012, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

See also

2022 Elections

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External links

Search Google News for this topic

Personal

Facebook

LinkedIn

• Brad Hamlett on Facebook
• Profile from Open States
• Biography from Project Vote Smart
• Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
• Campaign contributions: 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Wendy McKamey (R)	Montana House of Representatives, District 23 2017-2021	Succeeded by Scot Kerns (R)
Preceded by '	Montana State Senate District 10 2009–2017	Succeeded by Steve Fitzpatrick (R)

[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

Vacant

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

Vacant

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 (57)

Democratic Party (41)

Vacancies (2)