Representative Brad Barker, Montana House District 55 - Transparency, Stability & Legacy ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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Montana House District 55 Update: Transparency, Stability & Legacy

Your representative should answer to you – not party operatives, not dark money groups, and not out-of-state special interests. I’m running again because Carbon County deserves steady, principled leadership that puts constituents first and delivers real results: meaningful property tax relief, responsible budgeting, and expanded opportunities for our kids and future generations.

 

Reintroducing Myself

 

For those who may be new to our district, I am a West Point graduate, a 20-year Army veteran with multiple combat deployments, a business owner, a husband, a father of four, and a proud Carbon County resident. I have taken one oath repeatedly throughout my life – to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Montana.

 

That oath – not allegiance to any political faction – guides my service.

 

Transparency: Government in the Light

 

Transparency builds trust. That's why I've passed legislation requiring public entities to publish agendas and record meetings – and why I've communicated with you weekly, even when votes were controversial.

 

I have consistently voted to support what I believe is in the best interest of my constituents rather than taking orders from party operatives. I have opposed misleading rhetoric from both sides. And, I have shunned efforts to demand ideological purity over constitutional duty.

 

Stability: Predictable Governance for Growth

 

Stability is not flashy, but it is foundational. Montana families, farmers, and businesses need predictable governance. When policies swing wildly, risk increases. When risk increases, the cost of capital increases. When capital becomes more expensive, projects don’t happen, whether that’s a new irrigation system, housing development, energy investment, or small business expansion.

 

My record reflects that commitment:

 

  • Property tax reform that prioritizes Montana residents - lowered taxes for 80% of Montana home owners, with an effective tax reduction for over 97%.
  • Reduced income taxes to a two-rate structure of 4.7% and 5.4%, depending on income level, instead of a multi-bracket system with a 6.9% top rate.
  • Supported fiscal responsibility with total state spending growth of less than 1%, far below inflation and among the lowest in the country.
  • Voted to protect rural hospitals and healthcare infrastructure.
  • Worked to strengthen energy policy for reliable and affordable power.
  • Protected water rights.

 

Stable governance promotes growth, job creation, higher wages, and family decisions – especially in rural communities like ours.

 

Legacy: Leaving Montana Stronger

 

Public service should be about stewardship.

 

In 2023, I supported paying down bonded debt rather than passing it to our kids. To support law and order and improve public safety, I also appropriated $300 million to address mental health services across the state and $600 million to address our prison overcrowding that requires us to pay more for incarceration out of state. In 2025, I supported setting aside volatile revenue through the Growth and Opportunity Trust to backstop long-term liabilities and repair infrastructure.

 

I have supported:

 

  • Maintaining bridges, water storage, and schools instead of deferring maintenance.
  • Expanding educational opportunities for our kids who are not going to college, skilled trades, and local opportunities.
  • Incentivizing rural schools to share resources to reduce overhead where feasible to prioritize student outcomes and better value for taxpayers.
  • Setting aside funds for pension liabilities and long-term fiscal health.
  • Focusing on long-term fiscal responsibility over short-term political decisions.

 

We cannot pass crumbling infrastructure and debt to the next generation and call it leadership.

 

Putting Constituents Over Party Bosses

 

Over the past several years, you have seen increasing pressure from partisan factions demanding loyalty pledges and ideological conformity.

 

I will not serve party bosses.

 

The Montana Constitution is clear: no other oath, declaration, or test shall be required for public office beyond the oath to the Constitution.

 

My responsibility is to the people of Carbon County – homeowners, renters, farmers, small business owners, retirees, teachers, workers, and young families – not unelected party operatives.

 

Working for constituents has guided my votes:

 

  • Supporting policies that benefit resident homeowners over out-of-state interests and corporations.
  • Defending public lands access.
  • Opposing proposals that undermine constitutional processes and the separation of powers.
  • Working for constituents regardless of who brings the solution.

 

Addressing the needs of our local communities and economy requires seriousness, discipline, and courage, not theatrics. I am running to continue serving with integrity, independence, and a steady hand.

 

Transparency. Stability. Legacy.

 

If you are willing to support this campaign – whether by volunteering, donating, or simply sharing this message – I would be honored.

 

It remains a privilege to serve you. I ask for your continued trust and support.

Brad Barker

Representative

House District 55 (Carbon County)

brad@bradbarker.com

bradbarker.com

https://www.facebook.com/Representative.Barker

406-426-1034

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Montana is the only state in the nation without an S&P bond rating because we paid off all of our bond debt in 2023. Watch the video of the S&P presentation here.

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Sign the Convention of States petition for an Article V Convention to push back on Federal overreach and overspending.

Please visit my website and Facebook page to learn more about me, my policy positions, and my legislative work.

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Legislative Update Archives

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  • School Funding Update and Filing Deadline for Reduced Property Tax Rates
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Representative and Republican Candidate for House District 55

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