House District 5 includes Hungry Horse, Lake Five and Glacier Park International Airport, as well as parts of the Helena Flats area.

BRAXTON MITCHELL 

Political affiliation: Republican 

Age: 26 

Town of residence: Columbia Falls 

Occupation: Small businessman, digital marketer and Montana House representative 

Background: Born-and-raised Flathead County resident; three-term Montana House representative; Montana House majority whip; House Agriculture Committee chair 

Do you support Gov. Greg Gianforte’s initiative to implement a 4.7% flat state income tax? Why or why not? 

I support Gov. Gianforte’s 4.7% flat income tax proposal. Montanans work hard for their money, and they should be able to keep more of it. Lowering taxes and simplifying the tax code is a good step toward making Montana more affordable for working families. 

The 2025 Montana Legislature implemented a number of property tax reforms. Do you support these efforts? What other steps should the 2027 Legislature take to address property taxes? 

Montanans, especially lifelong Montanans, deserve real property tax relief. I believe the 2025 proposals did more harm than good by shifting the burden instead of fixing the problem. Tourists pay a bed tax on hotels, Airbnbs, campgrounds and other lodging, with all of that revenue going to the state. Those dollars should stay in the counties where they’re generated. I believe we need to capitalize on tourism and use that revenue to lower property taxes for the people who live here. 

How will you balance your legislative priorities with local jurisdictional independence and control? 

I believe in local control and that decisions should be made as close to the people as possible. However, when local governments push far-left policies that conflict with state law or infringe on individual rights, I believe the Legislature has a responsibility to step in. I’ll always respect local decision-making while making sure the rights of Montanans are protected. 

LUCA WELLE

Political affiliation: Democrat 

Age: 23 

Town of residence: Kalispell 

Occupation: Raft guide and substitute teacher 

Background: Sixth-generation Montanan; Public lands advocate; Volunteer for Flathead Rivers Alliance, Climate Smart Glacier Country, Citizens Climate Lobby and Glacier National Park’s citizen science programs; Member of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Future Fisheries Citizen Review Panel 

Do you support Gov. Greg Gianforte’s initiative to implement a 4.7% flat state income tax? Why or why not? 

I do not support a flat state income tax. As proposed, this measure would not reduce the tax burden on our lowest-income neighbors, who are already struggling to make ends meet. Our tax dollars support programs that enhance the lives of all Montanans, or at least they should, from roads to public safety to healthcare and more. Our tax bills should not reduce the quality of life of the very people they are supposed to benefit. Paying your fair share is required for being in any community, but in this case, flat is not necessarily fair. 

The 2025 Montana Legislature implemented a number of property tax reforms. Do you support these efforts? What other steps should the 2027 Legislature take to address property taxes? 

Overall, the Legislature made good progress reforming property taxes amidst a shifting housing landscape, but there are further changes to be made. We can reduce the strain taxes impose on our farmers and ranchers to prevent working lands and open space from being sold off and developed, which leads to urban sprawl and a loss of our agricultural heritage for coming generations. We can correct the rules so that additional properties like generational family cabins are treated differently than those used as Airbnbs or short-term rentals. 

How will you balance your legislative priorities with local jurisdictional independence and control? 

As much as our state has grown, I still think of Montana as one big small town, where relationships are everything. Decisions by different levels of government should not be made in a vacuum as they do not exist in one. Lawmaking ought to be done with thoughtful collaboration between the state, counties, cities and all other jurisdictions. In that way, we can all share and be proud of our achievements for our constituents while also holding each other accountable to our responsibilities to our citizens.