Jim Hamilton (politician)

Jim Hamilton is an American politician, serving in the Montana House of Representatives since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Hamilton represents District 61.

Jim Hamilton
Member of the Montana House of Representatives
from the 61st district
Assumed office
January 2, 2017
Personal details
Born (1959-08-29) August 29, 1959 (age 65)
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Political partyDemocratic
Children2[1]
ResidenceBozeman, Montana
EducationEastern Michigan University

Hamilton is running for re-election to a fourth term in the 2022 Montana House of Representatives election.[2]

Montana House of Representatives

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Tenure

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Early in 2017, Hamilton supported increasing the tobacco tax by $1.50 per pack of cigarettes. The bill failed to pass out of the tax committee.[3]

Hamilton opposed the tax plan put forward by national members of the Republican Party in 2017, arguing that these would worsen the state's deficit.[4] This came after legislators from the Montana Republican Party dramatically curbed spending in the state to make up for budget shortfalls.[5]

In 2021, Hamilton co-sponsored a "move over, slow down" bill to strengthen laws protecting first responders directing traffic, after two tow truck operators were killed in an accident.[6][7] He also opposed a push by Republican state legislators to impose a strict dress code in the House of Representatives, which would have mandated suits and ties.[8]

Committee assignments

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  • Appropriations Committee[1]
  • Joint Interim Committee on Revenue[1]
  • Joint Legislative Finance Committee[1]
  • Joint Subcommittee on Long-Range Planning[1]
  • Legislative Administration Committee (Vice Chair)[1]
  • Rules Committee[9]

Personal life

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Hamilton resides in Bozeman, Montana. He is married, and has two children.[1]

Electoral history

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2016

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Montana House of Representatives 61st district general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Hamilton 3,787 55.06%
Republican Neal Ganser 2,804 40.77%
Libertarian Francis Wendt 287 4.17%
Total votes 6,878 100%
Democratic hold

[10]

2018

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Montana House of Representatives 61st district general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Hamilton (incumbent) 4,906 74.9%
Libertarian A. Alexander Fetto 1,648 25.1%
Total votes 6,554 100%
Democratic hold

[11]

2020

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Montana House of Representatives 61st district general election, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Hamilton (incumbent) 6,200 100%
Total votes 6,200 100%
Democratic hold

[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Jim Hamilton's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  2. ^ Miller, Alex (January 13, 2022). "Candidate filing begins in Montana". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  3. ^ "Tobacco Tax Increase Dies In The House". Montana Public Radio. April 11, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  4. ^ "Montana Dems Say GOP Tax Bill Could Worsen State Budget Crisis". Montana Public Radio. December 20, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  5. ^ "Democratic State Legislators Say Budget Cuts Will Hit Gallatin County". Montana Public Radio. December 20, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  6. ^ Kordenbrock, Mike (February 2, 2021). "After fatal October crash, families of tow truck operators support road safety bill". Billings Gazette. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  7. ^ Cech, Mike; Hamilton, Jim (October 31, 2021). "Guest column: Montana Legislature strengthened 'move over, slow down' law". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  8. ^ Samuels, Iris (March 26, 2021). "Montana House Advances Dress Code Requiring Suits and Ties". Montana Public Radio. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  9. ^ "Montana House: Rules Committee". American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  10. ^ "Montana House of Representatives elections, 2016". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "Montana House of Representatives elections, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  12. ^ "Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton 2020 legislative general election canvass" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  13. ^ Stein, Perrin (October 29, 2020). "Three Gallatin County incumbents returning to state Legislature". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
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