Jason Priest

Last updated
Jason Priest
Member of the Montana Senate
from the 30th district
In office
2011 - 2015
Personal details
Born (1968-07-17) July 17, 1968 (age 54)
Red Lodge, Montana
Political party Republican
Residence Red Lodge, Montana
Alma mater Williams College
OccupationPolitician, corporate executive

Jason Priest (born July 17, 1968) is an American businessman and former politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the Montana Legislature, representing Senate District 30 from 2011 to 2015. [1] [2]

Contents

Priest pled guilty to four counts of assault, family assault, and resisting arrest involving his four year old daughter, his wife and her boyfriend. He was sentenced to one year, deferred, and $11,000 in fees and fines. He did not run for re-election. (2014) [3] [4]

Priest was raised in Red Lodge, Montana. He attended Red Lodge Public Schools and Aspen Country Day School in Aspen, Colorado. He attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political economy.

Priest is currently the owner of Bold Beauty Academy in Billings, Montana and Optimal Auctions of Round Rock, Texas and holds executive titles with New Rock Telecom Ventures and Hamilton Venture Holdings. His previous positions include CEO of Medipent LLC; Chief Operating Officer and Founder at Dash.com; Director at MaxLink; President at US WaveLink; and Vice President of Finance at Islands Restaurants. [5]

Legislative Action

During the 63rd Session of the Montana Legislature, Priest's legislative outline [6] confirmed primary sponsorship of legislature including SB97 & SB98 "Revise Redistricting Laws to Reduce the Number of House and Senate Seats", SB75 "Allow Donation of Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans", SB385 "Reduce Sales Tax Rates and Redistribute Proceeds to Provide Funding For Tourism" and a number of bills confirming the Montana Governor's appointees to health related boards. [7]

Montana Growth Network Investigation

Priest is the founder of the Montana Growth Network, a 501c4 political lobbying organization in Montana. It is the primary donor to the Western Tradition Partnership, now known as the American Tradition Partnership. It is funded by confidential individual and corporate donors.

In 2013, Priest came under scrutiny for potentially receiving donations from out-of-state and undisclosed individuals and corporations. He refused to disclose his donor base stating his right to do so under 501c4 laws protecting the organization based in Red Lodge, Montana. His organization's activity has led to a "dark money" scandal overshadowing 2013 politics in the state of Montana. As reported in the Independent Record, Missoulian and by Michael Beckel/Political Integrity, Priest financed a radio ad and a three piece printed mailer [8] sent to voters supporting his own selection, and that of his Board of Directors, of a 2012 Montana Supreme Court Judge candidate that contained misleading editorial content and was not appropriately registered with the Montana Commissioner on Political Practices. [9] [8]

As a state senator, Priest, through his business stimulus non-profit, Montana Growth Network, spent more money on a non-partisan election to assist the election of a Montana Supreme Court Judge than the candidate herself had raised for her own election campaign programs. A number of formal complaints were filed with the State of Montana prompting Governor Steve Bullock and other elected Montana Senators, representatives and state election officials to address the issue of election campaign contribution reform, donor transparency and contribution limits. Both Republicans and Democrats raised concerns about Montana Growth Network's activity. [9] [8] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Emails obtained and published by the Great Falls Tribune in January 2013 named Priest as part of a secretive effort by conservative Republicans in the Montana legislature to quash bills by more moderate Republicans. Emails were released by an unnamed source. Priest, along with several other Republican Senators, had targeted specific fellow Republicans as those to work against during the 2013 Montana legislative session. The efforts resulted in political and legislative gridlock with a "crossover coalition" of Republicans defeating key bills proposed by Priest. [14] [15] [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Racicot</span> American attorney, politician and former Governor of Montana

Marc Racicot is an American attorney, lobbyist, politician and former member of the Republican Party who served as the 21st Governor of Montana from 1993 until 2001. After leaving office, Racicot worked as a lobbyist for the law firm Bracewell & Giuliani. His notable clients included Enron, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and the Recording Industry Association of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Tester</span> American farmer and politician (born 1956)

Raymond Jon Tester is an American farmer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Montana, a seat he has held since 2007. A member of the Democratic Party, Tester is the dean of Montana's congressional delegation and the only Democrat to hold statewide office in Montana. He served in the Montana Senate from 1999 to 2007, and as its president for his last two years in the chamber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenn Hegar</span> American politician (born 1970)

Glenn Allen Hegar Jr. is an American attorney who serves as Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. He was a Republican member of the Texas Senate representing the 18th District, west of Houston. He succeeded fellow Republican Susan Combs as comptroller on January 2, 2015. He was elected Comptroller in the general election on November 4, 2014.

Scott Sales is an American politician of the Republican Party. He is a state senator in the Montana Senate and also serves as the president of that body. He previously served in the Montana House of Representatives, including a term as minority leader and as speaker of the House. Sales is the first person, to be elected by his peers, to serve as the presiding officer of both bodies of the Montana Legislature. Sales is from Douglas, Wyoming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 United States elections</span>

The 2004 United States elections were held on November 2. Republican President George W. Bush won re-election and Republicans retained control of Congress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Daines</span> American politician and businessman (born 1962)

Steven David Daines is an American politician and former corporate executive serving as the junior United States senator from Montana since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Montana's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Cooney</span> 36th Lieutenant Governor of Montana

Michael R. Cooney is an American politician who served as the 36th lieutenant governor of Montana from 2016 to 2021. He previously served in the Montana House of Representatives (1977–1981), as the secretary of state of Montana (1989–2001), in the Montana Senate (2003–2011), as the president of the Montana Senate (2007–2009) and ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Montana in 2000. Cooney was the Democratic nominee for governor of Montana in the 2020 election, losing to Republican U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte.

Anders Blewett is an attorney and a Montana Democratic politician. He was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 2008 and the Montana Senate in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Bullock (American politician)</span> American politician & lawyer (born 1966)

Stephen Clark Bullock is an American politician and lawyer, who served as the 24th governor of Montana from 2013 to 2021. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Stapleton</span> American politician

Corey Stapleton is an American politician and musician who served as the Secretary of State of Montana from 2017 to 2021. A Republican, he served as a member of the Montana State Senate from 2001 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States Senate election in Montana</span>

The 2014 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate from Montana, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Rosendale</span> American politician (born 1960)

Matthew Martin Rosendale Sr. is an American politician and businessman from Montana. A member of the Republican Party, he is the U.S. representative for Montana's 2nd congressional district. He was first elected to the at-large district in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deidre Henderson</span> American politician (born 1974)

Deidre Marie Henderson is an American politician serving as the ninth lieutenant governor of Utah since January 4, 2021. From 2013 to 2021, she served as member of the Utah State Senate for District 7, which is based in Spanish Fork, Utah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives election in Montana</span>

The 2014 congressional election in Montana was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the U.S. representative from Montana's at-large congressional district. Between 1993 and 2023, Montana had one at-large seat in the House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States Senate election in Montana</span>

The 2018 United States Senate election in Montana was held on November 6, 2018, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Montana, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Montana gubernatorial election</span> American election

The 2020 Montana gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the next governor of Montana, concurrently with the U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives and various state and local elections. It resulted in voters selecting Greg Gianforte over Mike Cooney. Incumbent Democratic Governor Steve Bullock, who was term-limited and could not seek reelection to a third consecutive term in office, ran unsuccessfully for Montana's Class II Senate seat.

Sumner Gerard Jr.MBE was an American businessman, politician, and diplomat. Born in New York to a prominent family, Gerard attended Groton School and Trinity College, Cambridge. After serving in the army, navy, and Marine Corps during World War II, he moved to Montana and became involved in business, including mining and ranching, and politics.

Jedediah Hinkle is an American politician and a Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives. He previously served in the Montana Senate from 2015 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristen Juras</span> American politician

Kristen Juras is an American businesswoman, attorney, law professor, and politician serving as the 37th lieutenant governor of Montana. A Republican, Juras was first elected in November 2020 and assumed office on January 4, 2021.

Raphael "Raph" Jeffrey Carlisle Graybill is an American attorney who has served as chief legal counsel to Steve Bullock, the Governor of Montana, since 2017. Graybill was a candidate for attorney general of Montana in the 2020 general election.

References

  1. ↑ "Jason Priest for State Senate". Priest2010.com. 2010-08-28. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  2. ↑ Montana Legislature. "JASON PRIEST (R)" . Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  3. ↑ Eddie Gregg (February 12, 2014). "State senator charged with felony assault in domestic incident". billingsgazette.com.
  4. ↑ Zack Benoit (December 4, 2014). "Jason Priest pleads guilty to amended charges, 4 misdemeanors". missoulian.com.
  5. ↑ "About « Jason Priest for State Senate". Priest2010.com. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  6. ↑ "Montana Legislature: Sessions". www.leg.mt.gov. Archived from the original on 2012-09-29.
  7. ↑ "Montana Legislature: Sessions". Leg.mt.gov. Archived from the original on 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  8. 1 2 3 "Judicial candidate blames mystery nonprofit's attacks for defeat | The Center for Public Integrity". www.publicintegrity.org. Archived from the original on 2013-06-19.
  9. 1 2 "Race for Montana Supreme Court seat turns negative". M.missoulian.com. 2012-05-18. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  10. ↑ "Pro-business group's ad attacks Montana Supreme Court candidate on death penalty | State & Regional". missoulian.com. 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  11. ↑ "Montana Growth Network - Make Montana More Business Friendly!". Archived from the original on 2013-06-14. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  12. ↑ "Democratic senator files campaign complaint against Republican senator's group | Legislative Coverage". helenair.com. 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  13. ↑ "Group spends more than $41,000 on Montana Supreme Court primary | Local". helenair.com. 2012-05-30. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  14. ↑ "Great Falls Tribune, John Adams, January, 2013".
  15. ↑ "Great Falls Tribune". Great Falls Tribune. 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  16. ↑ "Montana state senators raise big bucks with secretive nonprofit". Center for Public Integrity. May 4, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.