Jonathan Karlen | |
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![]() Official Portrait | |
Member of the MontanaHouseofRepresentatives from the 98th district | |
Assumed office January 2, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Kathy Whitman |
Personal details | |
Born | Jonathan Karlen August 27,1999 |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Missoula,Montana,U.S. |
Alma mater | University of Montana (BS) University of Montana (MPA) |
Occupation | Research Associate,University of Montana |
Website | Official website |
Jonathan G. Karlen (born August 27,1999) is an American politician. He currently serves as a Democratic member of the Montana House of Representatives for District 98,which encompasses Missoula,since 2023. [1] [2] Karlen is among the youngest state legislators in the United States. [3]
Karlen was born August 27,1999. Karlen graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Science in wildlife biology with a minor in climate change studies. He also completed a Master of Public Administration with a public policy focus from the University of Montana. [4]
Karlen has interned for various government agencies including the Arizona Game and Fish Department in Seligman,Arizona,and the Montana Fish,Wildlife and Parks Department in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. In 2020,Karlen was a legislative affairs intern at the U.S. Forest Service,Office of the Chief in Washington,D.C. Karlen is an alumnus of the Max Baucus Leaders Program serving as a legislative intern for the U.S. Senate majority leader. He is currently a board member of the Climate and Energy Board of Missoula,Montana and works as a wildlife research associate of the Boone and Crockett Club based at the University of Montana,and coaches youth ski racing. [5] [ non-primary source needed ]
In January 2022,he announced that he will run for office. [6] He defeated Democrat Linda Swanson in the primary election (67%-33%).[ citation needed ]
In the 2022 Montana House of Representative election,he was elected into the house,defeating incumbent Kathy Whitman (R). He assumed office on January 2,2023,with his current term ending January 6,2025. He is a member of the Natural Resources,Business and Labor,Legislative Administration,and Fish,Wildlife and Parks committees. [7]