Braxton Mitchell

Braxton Mitchell was born in Whitefish, Montana. He earned a high school diploma from Columbia Falls High School.[1] His career experience includes working as a small businessman, consultant, and with Vandevanter Meats.[2] Mitchell has been a Turning Point USA ambassador, a RunGenZ rising star, vice-chair of Montana Young Republicans, and an NRA Lifetime Member.[3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Columbia Falls and am a small businessman. My political involvement began when I took a, what would become, high profile stand against those who were trying to take our guns away following the tragic school shooting in Parkland. The way our community rallied to support our constitutional rights showed me there was a need for new representation in my district.

As a legislator, I have fulfilled the promises I made to my constituents. I was sent to Helena to fight for small business, defend our Second Amendment Right, restore integrity in our elections, support natural resources, and access to public lands. My voting record proves that I lived up to the values District 3 wants represented.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

District 3 is who I am. I grew up in Columbia Falls and am working hard with the people and small businesses in our district to solve problems and bring about change in state government.Conservatives made a lot of reforms that were vetoed by 16 years of democrat governors. There is still a lot of work to do and I am working with my constituents and fellow legislators to be prepared to hit the ground running in 2023 and continue making government even more accountable and efficient.Joe Biden and unelected judges are taking away our states rights. They are responsible for inflation in every aspect of our economy and over turning our election security laws. I will continue fighting to loosen the grip the federal government and judiciary has on our states rights.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Second Amendment

Election Integrity

Natural Resource Development

Public Lands Access

Transportation Infrastructure

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I really look up to my great grandfather. He helped teach me the value of hard work and has good values and extends a helping hand to many in need.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

President Donald J. Trump’s inaugural address.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I do not just want to be known for fighting for our Constitution and our communities - I want to be known for what I did not do: Trade votes, make backroom deals, ignore my constituents, or compromise my principles.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember when Osama bin Laden was captured and killed. At the time I was 10 years old.

I was only one-year-old when 9/11 happened, but I know so many aspects of life, security, and government were remarkably altered by that tragic day. I have met with survivors of the attacks and heard firsthand accounts of how the world changed in one day.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Family Businesses - Vandevanter Meats and Montana Jerky Company since before I can remember. I grew up processing animals, hanging jerky, and doing everything you could imagine that a meat shop could do.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. The answer to every question is in there.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

'Till You Can't - Cody Johnson

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The foundation of any good relationship starts with trust and communication.

A good governor should seek counsel from senators prior to making appointments which require legislative approval. Appointees may reflect the priorities of the governor personally and politically, but legislators have a duty to approve or reject appointments from the viewpoint of being those who actually make laws and appropriate money for that which is under the control of an appointee.

Perhaps the biggest reminder of the constitutional separation of powers is the appropriations process. While the governor can submit their own budget proposal, the constitution clearly states that the House of Representatives has the power of the purse. A governor should respect the thorough review and vetting the legislature ought to do for all agencies and programs. Constitutionally it is the responsibility of the House to write and pass a budget, so it is in a governor‘s best interest to work closely with the legislature as the history books will record the success or failure of the governor - not the House Appropriations Committee.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Energy and infrastructure are the two things that will determine the economic future of our state and quality of life.

Montana is rich in energy resources like coal and hydroelectricity. We need to also grow our energy portfolio to include nuclear. Adding nuclear would give us the baseload we need to keep the lights on. We have already experienced rolling blackouts in our coldest months and this is the sole responsibility of radical environmental groups who litigate the closure of our baseload assets and demand subsidies for intermittent power sources like wind and solar. Capacity shortages are literally a matter of life or death. In the winter of 2021, cold temperatures lead to capacity shortages across the country and Montana found itself with rolling blackouts. We were lucky because, that same day, capacity shortages claimed the lives of over 100 people in Texas. We will be next if we do not address this. Our coal severance tax also funds our schools so, by mining our incredible coal, we fund our schools - especially in rural areas.

Not only is much of Montana’s infrastructure aging or obsolete, we are already far behind as certain areas in the state have seen a population explosion in recent years. Roads that were once two lane shortcuts through a rural area have had to handle the volume of an arterial in a major city leading to more than an hour of extra transit time in some areas. With already out of control property taxes, the funding sources to build infrastructure that will still effectively serve us in 50 years, is getting even more precarious.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

In Montana, we are the fourth most part-time legislature in the country. We go more than a year and a half between sessions.

Especially if we were to reduce the number of legislators from what we have in a bicameral legislature, I simply do not believe we could get everything done during our 90 day session. As it stands, each body has certain functions that are separate from the other. For example, the House writes the budget and the Senate confirms executive appointments. Furthermore, I believe it consolidates too much power in one place. Even within the same branch of government, checks and balances are needed and I do not believe that is possible with a unicameral legislature.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, but it can be beneficial - especially if you end up with certain committees assignments. If you can listen, have a backbone, and don’t lie, you can likely be a successful legislator.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. You would get nothing done otherwise - making you failure to your constituents.

When you get a bill drafted and it has a hearing, you need to know the members on the committee and the chair so you can effectively communicate your intentions in a way that will resonate with them. By working with others who share your values and interests, you can get input that could make a bill even better. If your bill makes it to the floor, it is beneficial to have allies who are well-versed in your bill and can stand up and speak in favor of it prior to a vote. Finally, you need to know someone in the other chamber who can carry it on the Floor for its final vote.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

No matter how much people try and spin it, there is no such thing as an independent redistricting commission. Everyone has some bias in them. Everyone has an ideology.

In Montana, the legislature has a fair process for appointing it’s own four representatives and our constitution is perfectly clear on how lines should be drawn. However, an even number of partisans will never agree, so you need a tiebreaker - and our current system for that is not the solution.

With that said, I think the legislature ought to make the district maps. They are elected by the people and are accountable to the people.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

All three of my committees deal with issues that are important to my district, so I have added interest in whether a bill passes or fails.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Prior to serving as a Senator, Dee Brown represented the House District I now serve. She is perhaps my greatest mentor. Dee can always give me advice when I need it and has introduced me to a lot of people in the district that I did not know before serving.

As a legislator, she was never afraid to stick her neck out for our district, did not look to the leader of the party to see how she should vote, and was never afraid to be the only one to vote no.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I have never thought about it before. I am a public servant, not a politician. Right now I am focused on representing my constituents. If they have other plans for me someday, I will consider them.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Joe Biden was fighting to throw unvaccinated men and women out of the military. I had a constituent who is in the National Guard contact me and tell me how much they love our country, State, and what they do, but did not know what to do about being thrown out of the military for refusing an experimental drug.

It was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life. Seeing a hero and patriot kicked to the curb and made vulnerable is beyond description. The fact that they thought to contact me about that really illuminated how much people count on me to work hard for them every day.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Absolutely. I believe the constitutional separation of powers demands it.

During the first week we saw governors across the country issuing the very first coronavirus directives with their emergency powers, it became clear that the legislature must have have strong oversight. Our last governor tried to, intentionally, take down the entire state economy and strip Montanans of as many rights as possible - essentially suspending the state constitution and declaring whatever powers he chose to claim.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

When it comes to policy, no. Policy is a reflection of principles, and I will never compromise my principles.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Braxton Mitchell, I am a nineteen year old running for the The Montana State Legislature. I am a conservative-republican who believes in protecting Free Speech, The Second Amendment, and our Public Lands. I believe that veterans need to be treated better, and provided with high quality care and job training, and ensure that those who need it get the psychological care and attention they need to deal with the issues they face when they're back home. I stand strong in the fight against Socialism. I am a strong capitalist who believes in our free market system. "America will never be a socialist country." In 2018 I organized a Pro-Gun rally in Kalispell, Montana which was attended by hundreds. I am young, but I understand the urgent need of young leadership in our State and Country, and I believe that it's important that no matter what side you're on that you're able to have your voice heard. I am the only candidate born in raised in the District, as well as the only Candidate born and raised in Montana, and I believe it's important that we elect Representatives who understand our area first hand, and not elect Candidates who are trying to change our Montana way of life.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Protecting The Second AmendmentPublic Land ExpansionStrong in the fight against Socialism

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Criminal Justice

Economic

Education