Election 2022: Meet HD-13 candidate Paul Fielder

House District 13

Name: Paul C. Fielder

Party: Republican

Age: 72

Family: Married to Jennifer Fielder, have a son and daughter and five grandchildren

Occupation: Retired wildlife biologist of 31 years and present Representative in the Montana Legislature

Community involvement: Chairman of Sanders County Republican Central Committee 2015-present; member of Montana Republican Party Executive Board & Rules Committee; past Regional Director of Montana Trappers Association; past member of MFWP Region 1 Citizens Advisory Council.

What are the top issues you would like to see addressed in the next legislative session?

The Legislature needs to give most of the present Montana budget surplus ($1.8 billion dollars) back to the taxpayers that the excess was taken from. Refund up to $1,250 for Montana income tax payers and up to $1,000 in property taxes for Montana personal residences. I voted for a special session to do that and will work to get it done in the 2023 session.

Last session I sponsor the bill that would have excluded Social Security benefits from Montana taxable income. I’ll bring that bill again. Social Security was never intended to be a funding source for government.

Suppressing tax increases and continuing work to reduce individual taxes has always been a priority of mine. That’s why I serve on the House Taxation Committee.

We need to safeguard, and increase where possible, election integrity in Montana and the USA. A federal judge overturned HB506, which I sponsored into law, that said a ballot may not be issued to an individual until they achieve age and residency requirements. How can anyone disagree with that bill? I’ve been involved in state and national meetings about election integrity since attending Mike Lindell’s Cyber Symposium August 2021.

I’ll continue to bring wildlife management legislation directed at reducing predators in western Montana to protect our big game species, especially in Region 1. That includes the federal government going back to the 1973 definitions of the original Endangered Species Act. Under those definitions, the grizzly bear is not “in danger of extinction” within its range.

Enhance responsible logging and mining, especially in Northwest Montana. This includes emphasizing the hazards of wildfire smoke pollutants to citizen’s health as a reason for harvesting timber products and quickly suppressing wildfires instead of the “let it burn” and “managing for maximum combustion” policies that have plagued Montana.

Why are you the best choice to represent your district?

Experience and effectiveness at getting things done makes me the best choice for HD-13 (which includes Kila & Marion areas). My background in wildlife and natural resources helps me effectively speak in committees and on the floor to influence passage of good bills and defeat bad bills on those issues. Eight bills that I sponsored were passed into law. My wife was a state Senator for 8 years and after my 1st term in the legislature, I know most of the legislators, statewide elected officials, Montana Congressional delegation, and the Directors of many state agencies and that helps me to be effective. I am experienced in both effectively running and participating in committee meetings. I served on House Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Taxation committees and Environmental Quality Council.

My performance has earned endorsements from Montana Family Foundation, Montana Farm Bureau, Montanans for Limited Government, Montana Shooting Sports Association, NRA, Gun Owners of America and awards from American Conservative Union, Montana Federation of Independent Business, Montana Outfitters & Guides Association, National Trappers Association.

A legislator has to deal with a lot of topics. I’m not a rookie at this legislative stuff and I’m happy to stand on my performance.