Jason Ellsworth is an American politician serving as a Republican member of the Montana Senate. First elected in 2019, Ellsworth serves as the President pro Tempore of the Montana Senate.[1][2]

Jason Ellsworth
President of the Montana Senate
Assumed office
January 2, 2023
Preceded byMark Blasdel
President pro tempore of the Montana Senate
In office
January 4, 2021 – January 2, 2023
Preceded byMark Blasdel
Succeeded byKenneth Bogner
Member of the Montana Senate
from the 43rd district
Assumed office
January 7, 2019
Preceded byPatrick Connell
Personal details
Born1973 (age 50–51)
Laconia, New Hampshire, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children4
Signature

Official Travel

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In January 2021, Ellsworth was stopped for speeding on the interstate near Helena and told the trooper that he was late to a meeting with Governor Greg Gianforte. The trooper let him go without issuing a ticket.[3]

In May 2021, Ellsworth was stopped again by a highway patrol trooper en route to Helena on suspicion of speeding, having been clocked doing 88 mph. In the encounter, Ellsworth threatened to contact the state's attorney general on the officer and claimed he couldn't be arrested because he was a lawmaker on his way to legislative work. Ellsworth was subsequently charged for speeding through a construction zone or an alternative charge of reckless driving and obstructing a peace officer.[3]

2023 Legislative Session

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After being selected President Pro Tempore of the Montana Senate around December 2022, Ellsworth gave a speech in which he said, “We're going to have an opportunity next session, because we're going to have a supermajority, to potentially pass constitutional initiatives, and give those votes to the people.” When asked by a journalist what type of constitutional amendments were being considered, Ellsworth said he did not know any specifics, and that the only reason he made the above statement was because he felt people "needed to be cognizant of that (the opportunity to pass amendments)..." It was later revealed that 38 constitutional amendments were being drafted at the time, according to the state legislature's own website.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Copper Book: Lawmakers of Montana, Legislative Session of 2021". Montana State Legislature. Montana Legislative Services Division. p. 11. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Jason Ellsworth - Montana Environmental Information Center - MEIC". meic.org. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
  3. ^ a b Hanson, Amy Beth (2021-07-20). "Montana senator charged with speeding, obstructing officer". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  4. ^ Marino, Michael (December 9, 2022). "GOP Hints at 38 Constitutional Amendment Proposals in 2023". Yellowstone County News.
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Montana Senate
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Montana Senate
2021–2023
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by President of the Montana Senate
2023–present
Incumbent