Braxton Mitchell (born May 20, 2000) is an American politician and businessman who serves as the Republican Majority Whip of the Montana House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. He represented Montana’s 3rd district from 2021 to 2025, and at the time, became one of the youngest elected officials in the country.[1][2] Due to redistricting following the U.S. census, Mitchell ran for District 5 in the 2024 elections.[3]
Braxton Mitchell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Montana House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Debo Powers |
| Constituency | 5th district (2025-present) 3rd district (2021-2025) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 20, 2000 Whitefish, Montana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Flathead Valley Community College |
Early life and education
editMitchell was born in Columbia Falls, Montana,[2] and was later adopted.[4] Mitchell grew up working for his family's businesses in Columbia Falls, most notably Montana Jerky Company.[5]
While attending Columbia Falls High School, he organized a pro-gun walkout after millions of students nationwide walked out to protest gun rights.[6] Mitchell attended Flathead Valley Community College after high school.[2][5]
Career
editMitchell's involvement in politics began in 2017 during a special election for Montana's lone congressional district, where Republican Greg Gianforte defeated Democrat Rob Quist. Mitchell saw many of his own beliefs reflected in Gianforte, and helped with his campaign as a high school student.[7]
In 2020, he ran for the 3rd district of the Montana House of Representatives. Mitchell defeated incumbent Democrat Debo Powers in the November general election by 20 points,[7] and became one of the youngest elected officials in the country.[8][9]
During the 2021 legislative session, Mitchell served as a member on the House Taxation Committee, the House Education Committee, and the House Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Committee.[10]
In the 2023 session, Mitchell served as a member on the House Judiciary Committee, the House Education Committee, and the House Agricultural Committee.[11] He sponsored 10 bills that session with 9 of them passing the Montana House and Senate.[12]
In April 2024, Mitchell toured the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a trip organized by NumbersUSA.[13]
Following the 2024 election, Mitchell was elected by his colleagues to serve as the Majority Whip of the Montana House of Representatives for the 69th Legislative Session. [14]
In 2025, Mitchell serves as the chairman of the House Agricultural Committee. He also serves as a member on the House Judiciary Committee, the House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations Committee, and as a member of the Rules Committee[15][16]
Mitchell has served as an ambassador for Turning Point USA. [17]
Elections
editIn 2020, he ran for the 3rd district of the Montana House of Representatives. Mitchell defeated incumbent Democrat Debo Powers in the November general election by 20 points.[7]
In 2022, he ran for re-election. In June 2022, Mitchell faced a Republican primary challenger. Mitchell defeated his primary challenger with over 73% of the vote.[18] In November 2022, Mitchell won his re-election bid by 18 points.[19]
In 2024, he ran for re-election. Following legislative redistricting, Mitchell opted to run in the newly drawn House District 5, which encompassed a large portion of his former district. In November 2024, Mitchell won his re-election bid by 47.6 points.
Notable bills sponsored by Mitchell
editBobby’s Law
editIn January 2025, Mitchell sponsored HB 267, a bill that strengthened penalties for fatal DUI offenses by creating a new crime: aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence.[20] The law applies to drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.16% or higher who cause a death, establishing a mandatory minimum prison sentence of three years, with a maximum of up to 30 years and potential fines of up to $50,000. The legislation was named in memory of Bobby Dewbre, a Columbia Falls resident and childhood friend and neighbor of Mitchell, who was killed in a drunk driving crash. The driver responsible received just 18 months in county jail—the maximum sentence allowable under existing law for one count of misdemeanor careless driving involving death or serious bodily injury and one count of aggravated DUI. Calling the sentence “unfathomable,” Mitchell cited the case as the catalyst for reform.[20] “Montana has some of the most lax DUI laws in the country,” he said, “and HB 267 will help change that.” Bobby’s Law was signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte on April 25, 2025, with Bobby Dewbre’s family standing along side Mitchell and the Governor as it was signed into law.[21]
Flag restriction bill
editIn February 2025, Mitchell sponsored HB 819, legislation that prohibits the display of flags and banners representing a political viewpoint on property owned or leased by state, county, and local governments, such as the Black Lives Matter flag and the pride flags. This restriction applies exclusively to displays put up by government entities, including those at public schools, universities, courthouses, and administrative buildings. The ban includes flags featuring symbols tied to a specific race, sexual orientation, or gender identity.[22] The bill was signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte on May 13, 2025, and took effect immediately.[23] In June 2025, the Missoula City Council exploited a loophole in the law by formally designating the pride flag as an official city flag, thereby allowing its continued display on government property. As a result, the pride flag is now an official flag of the city of Missoula, Montana. The move drew criticism from Mitchell, who accused the city politicizing public property. In response, Mitchell vowed to close the loophole when the legislature reconvenes.[24]
Artificial intelligence
editIn January 2025, Mitchell sponsored HB 178, legislation that limits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by state and local governments in Montana. The bill prohibits government entities from using AI for purposes such as behavioral manipulation, discriminatory classification, malicious activity, or mass surveillance, except in limited law enforcement situations. It also requires transparency when AI is used in public-facing communications or services. Additionally, any government decision or recommendation made with the help of AI must be reviewed and approved by a real person, specifically a qualified state officer or public employee, before it can take effect.[25] Governor Greg Gianforte signed the bill into law on May 5, 2025, and it took effect immediately.[26]
Drag Performance ban
editIn February 2023, Mitchell introduced House Bill 359 which would prohibit drag performances in public libraries. Mitchell told NBC News that "the bill is intended to ensure hyper sexualized events are kept out of our taxpayer funded schools and libraries." The bill passed the Montana House and Senate on May 2, 2023 and was signed into law by Republican Governor Greg Gianforte on May 22, 2023. This bill was temporarily blocked by Federal Judge Brian Morris, on Friday July 28, 2023. The judge used the language of the bill to determine that it was crafted with discriminatory intent, constituting an unconstitutional breach of freedom of speech, referencing an incident in which a transgender individual, who was not a drag performer, was blocked from speaking in an event hosted in a public library.[27]
Digital drivers licenses
editIn 2023 Mitchell sponsored House Bill 519 which allows for Montanan's to obtain a digital version of their drivers license in their Apple Wallet in addition to their physical license by September 2025. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division came in as proponents to the bill.[28] The bill was signed into law by Republican Governor Greg Gianforte on April 26, 2023.[29] In 2025, Mitchell sponsored HB196 and HB249, which enhanced Montana’s digital identification laws before its roll out in September 2025. The legislation makes it unlawful to falsify a digital driver’s license, authorizes the ability to use a digital license to purchase age-restricted products like alcohol and tobacco, and enhances privacy protections by requiring businesses that scan digital IDs to use the scan data solely for age verification, prohibit its sale or transfer, and delete the data within 180 days. Both bills were signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte.[30]
Coal power
editMitchell sponsored a measure that would have made it more difficult for a private utility company in Montana to shutter a power plant, a move aimed at blocking the closing of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant in eastern Montana.[31] The measure was tabled in March 2021.[31][32] The Colstrip plant's owners, Puget Sound Energy, closed two of the four units at the plant in January 2021, and announced that the remaining two units would close within five years.[33]
Montana House of Representatives
editTransgender athletes in sports
editIn 2021 Mitchell supported a bill in the Montana Legislature that sought to ban transgender athletes from competing on teams that do not align with their sex assigned at birth. He stated that "Someone gender fluid can wake up one morning and say, 'I'm a man today,' or 'I'm a woman today,' as a tactic to win in sports."[34] The bill was signed into law by Republican Governor Greg Gianforte on May 7, 2021.[35]
State surplus revenue
editIn September 2022, Mitchell was 1 of 53 Republican Legislators to call for a special session of the Montana Legislature to discuss returning over $1.8 billion in excess tax revenue to resident homeowners who paid property taxes in the past two years, and up to $1,250 to people who paid income taxes during that time.[36]
Electoral history
edit2020 election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Braxton Mitchell | 3,586 | 60.0 | |
| Democratic | Debo Powers | 2,393 | 40.0 | |
| Total votes | 5,979 | 100 | ||
2022 general election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Braxton Mitchell | 2,751 | 59.0 | |
| Democratic | Andrea Getts | 1,934 | 41.0 | |
| Total votes | 4,685 | 100 | ||
2024 general election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Braxton Mitchell | 4,671 | 73.8 | |
| Democratic | Steve Paugh | 1,654 | 26.2 | |
| Total votes | 6,325 | 100 | ||
References
edit- ^ "Copper Book: Lawmakers of Montana, Legislative Session of 2021". Montana Legislature. Montana Legislative Services Division. p. 52. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Braxton Mitchell". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ "Home page". Montana Districting and Appointment Commission. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Mitchell, Getts to square off in House District 3 race". 12 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Election 2020: Braxton Mitchell House District 3". Hungry Horse News. September 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ Drake, Phil (April 24, 2021). "Montana Human Rights Network raises concerns about Turning Point USA". KULR-8 Local News. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c Amestoy, Austin (January 25, 2021). "Montana's youngest legislators: Under 25, diverse, Republican with 'a libertarian streak'". Missoula Current. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
- ^ "Flathead Memo: Rep-Elect Braxton Mitchell wants Montana's primaries to be closed and all its ballots hand counted". www.flatheadmemo.com. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ "House District 3 candidate Q&A: Braxton Mitchell". missoulian.com. May 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ "House of Representatives Committees 2021" (PDF). Montana Legislature. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- ^ "House of Representatives Committees 2023" (PDF). Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Legislator=Braxton Mitchell". Montana Legislature. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ "Anti-immigration group organized Northwest Montana lawmakers' trip to southern border". 14 May 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ "Montana Legislative Services". Montana State Legislature. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "House of Representatives Committees 2025" (PDF). Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Capitol Tracker". Montana Free Press. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "20 Year-Old MAGA Politician's War on ANTIFA Backfires Horribly". 2 March 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
- ^ "Incumbent legislators fend off primary challenges across Montana". 9 June 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- ^ "Republicans likely to enjoy supermajority in the Montana State Legislature". 9 November 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ a b Forman-Webster, Kaiden (April 9, 2025). "'Bobby's Law' aims to create minimum penalty for fatal DUIs". Montana Free Press. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "Governor signs Bobby's Law, imposing tougher drunk driving penalties". 29 April 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
- ^ "Lawmakers approve bill restricting display of some flags on public property". 25 April 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "Montana Legislative Services". Montana Legislature. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
- ^ "'Divisive, Far-Left Agenda': City In Deep-Red State Adopts 'Pride' Flag As Official City Banner". 3 June 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ^ "Montana Lawmakers Move to Regulate Artificial Intelligence". 28 March 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
- ^ "Montana Legislative Services". Montana Legislature. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
- ^ "Judge Blocks Montana Drag Ban Using Republican Rep. Braxton Mitchell's Own Words". Erin In The Morning. 28 July 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ Depping, Meridith (February 23, 2023). "Digital driver's license bill going through Montana House". NonStop Local. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ "Montana State Legislature". Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ "Montana State Legislature". Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ a b Wade, Will (March 29, 2021). "Coal Country Races to Shield Itself From Biden's Climate Plan". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ "Montana HB314 - Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ Gordon, Phillip (January 6, 2020). "US 2020 coal closures start with a bang with two units closed in Montana". Smart Energy International. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- ^ Loose, Cindy (February 15, 2021). "Flurry of bills aim to limit accommodating transgender athletes in public schools". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ Samuels, Iris (May 7, 2021). "Montana governor signs bill targeting transgender athletes". apnews.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
- ^ "Call Fails for Montana Special Session on Budget Surplus". Associated Press. September 15, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.