Virginia Court

Democratic Party

Prior offices

Montana House of Representatives District 50

* * *

Compensation

Base salary

$90.64/day

Per diem

$114.39/day

Education

Bachelor's

Montana State University

Personal

Profession

Small business owner

Contact

Personal website

## Contents

* 1 Biography
* 2 Committee assignments
* 2.1 2017 legislative session
* 2.2 2015 legislative session
* 2.3 2013-2014
* 2.4 2011-2012
* 3 Campaign themes
* 3.1 2012
* 4 Sponsored legislation
* 5 Elections
* 5.1 2018
* 5.2 2016
* 5.3 2014
* 5.4 2012
* 5.5 2010
* 6 Campaign donors
* 6.1 2016
* 6.2 2014
* 6.3 2012
* 6.4 2010
* 7 Scorecards
* 7.1 2018
* 7.2 2017
* 7.3 2016
* 7.4 2015
* 7.5 2014
* 7.6 2013
* 7.7 2012
* 8 Personal
* 9 Recent news
* 10 See also
* 11 External links
* 12 Footnotes

Virginia Court is a former Democratic member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 50 from 2011 to 2019.

Court was unable to run for re-election in 2018 to the Montana House of Representatives because of term limits.

## Biography[edit]

Court earned her B.S. in Biology from Montana State University.

## Committee assignments[edit]

### 2017 legislative session[edit]

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2017

• Fish, Wildlife and Parks
• Judiciary, Vice chair
• Natural Resources

### 2015 legislative session[edit]

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Court served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2015

• Judiciary, Vice Chair
• Natural Resources
• Fish, Wildlife and Parks

### 2013-2014[edit]

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Court served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2013

• Fish, Wildlife and Parks
• Judiciary
• Legislative Administration
• Natural Resources, Vice Chair

### 2011-2012[edit]

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Court served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2011

• Business and Labor
• Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
• Natural Resources

## Campaign themes[edit]

#### 2012[edit]

Court's website highlighted the following campaign themese:[1]

> I have and will continue to support and push for legislation that supports a sound economy, a good education system, and clean water and air. I believe small businesses serve as the backbone of our state’s economy by creating and providing jobs. I started and operated a successful small business in Montana for 25 years. I know firsthand what it takes to keep this vital segment of our economy strong and growing. My business experience is needed at the state legislature to make the tough decisions to get our Montana economy moving again.

## Sponsored legislation[edit]

The following table lists bills sponsored by this legislator. Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills sponsored by this person, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

## Elections[edit]

### 2018[edit]

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2018

Virginia Court was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 14, 2016.

Incumbent Virginia Court defeated Kerri Seekins-Crowe in the Montana House of Representatives District 50 general election.[2][3]

Montana House of Representatives, District 50 General Election, 2016

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  |  Virginia Court Incumbent | 55.29% | 2,117
| Republican  | Kerri Seekins-Crowe | 44.71% | 1,712
Total Votes | 3,829
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Incumbent Virginia Court ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 50 Democratic primary.[4][5]

Montana House of Representatives, District 50 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party | Candidate
| Democratic |  Virginia Court Incumbent (unopposed)

Kerri Seekins-Crowe ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 50 Republican primary.[6][7]

Montana House of Representatives, District 50 Republican Primary, 2016

Party | Candidate
| Republican |  Kerri Seekins-Crowe (unopposed)

### 2014[edit]

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 10, 2014; minor party and independent candidates had until June 2, 2014, to file. District 52 incumbent Virginia Court was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Tom Richmond defeated Aaron Langford in the Republican primary. Court defeated Richmond in the general election. Incumbent Dennis Lenz (R) ran in District 48.[8][9][10]

Montana House of Representatives, District 50 General Election, 2014

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  | Virginia Court Incumbent | 57% | 1,657
| Republican  |  Tom Richmond  | 43% | 1,249
Total Votes | 2,906
Montana House of Representatives, District 50 Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Tom Richmond | 63.1% | 560
Aaron Langford  | 36.9% | 328
Total Votes | 888

### 2012[edit]

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2012

Court won re-election in the 2012 election for Montana House of Representatives, District 52. Court ran unopposed in the June 5 primary election and defeated Kassidy Olson (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[11][12]

Montana House of Representatives, District 52, General Election, 2012

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  | Virginia Court Incumbent | 61.8% | 2,122
| Republican  |  Kassidy Olson  | 38.2% | 1,313
Total Votes | 3,435

### 2010[edit]

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2010

On November 2, 2010, Court won election to the Montana House of Representatives. Court had no opposition in the primary. She faced Bruce Reierson (R) in the November 2 general election.[13][14]

Montana House of Representatives, District 52 General Election (2010)

Candidates  | Votes
Virginia Court (D) | 1,403
Bruce Reierson (R)  | 1,255

## Campaign donors[edit]

* * *

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

* * *

Virginia Court campaign contribution history

Year | Office | Result | Contributions
2016 | Montana House of Representatives, District 50 |  ✔ | $13,082
2014 | Montana House of Representatives, District 50 |  ✔ | $25,305
2012 | Montana House, District 52 |  ✔ | $15,478
2010 | Montana House, District 52 |  ✔ | $23,819
Grand total raised | $77,684

Source: Follow the Money

### 2016[edit]

Court won re-election to the Montana House of Representatives in 2016. During that election cycle, Court raised a total of $13,082.

Montana House of Representatives 2016 election - campaign contributions

Top contributors to Virginia Court's campaign in 2016
Court, Virginia J| $300
Montana Association Of Realtors| $200
Treasure State Pac| $200
Charter Commnications| $170
Montana Chiropractic Association| $170
Total raised in 2016| $13,082
Source: Follow the Money

### 2014[edit]

Court won re-election to the Montana House of Representatives in 2014. During that election cycle, Court raised a total of $25,305.

Montana House of Representatives 2014 election - Campaign Contributions

Top contributors to Virginia Court's campaign in 2014
Yellowstone County Democratic Central Cmte Of Montana| $400
Montana Association Of Realtors| $170
Montana Conservation Voters| $170
Montana Medical Association| $170
Billings Education Association| $170
Total Raised in 2014| $25,305
Source: Follow the Money

### 2012[edit]

Court won re-election to the Montana House of Representatives in 2012. During that election cycle, Court raised a total of $15,478.

Montana House of Representatives 2012 election - campaign contributions

Top contributors to Virginia Court's campaign in 2012
Yellowstone County Democratic Central Committee| $800
Sample, Joseph S.| $160
Sullivan, Michael| $160
Erickson, Ronald| $160
Billings Fire Fighters Local 521| $160
Total raised in 2012| $15,478
Source: Follow the Money

### 2010[edit]

In 2010, a year in which Court was up for election, she collected $23,819 in donations.[15]

No contributions to his campaign were over $1,000.

## Scorecards[edit]

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Montana

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Montana scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

### 2018

In 2018, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

### 2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 2 through April 28.

* Americans for Prosperity Montana

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.

* Lewistown Tea Party: 2017 House and Senate scorecard

Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party.

* Montana Audubon

Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.

* Montana Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues.

* Montana Conservation Voters

Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.

* Montana Contrators' Association

Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to the interests of the construction industry.

* Montana Environmental Information Center: 2017 Senate and House voting records

Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment.

* Montana Farm Bureau Federation

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture.

* Montana Human Rights Network

Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.

* Montana Sportsmen Alliance

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.

* Montana State AFL-CIO

Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

* United Property Owners of Montana

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

### 2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

### 2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 5 through April 28.

* Americans for Prosperity Montana

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.

* Lewistown Tea Party: 2015 House and Senate scorecard

Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party.

* MEA-MFT: 2015 Legislature

Legislators are scored on bills deemed important by MEA-MFT to the state teachers' union.

* Montana Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on business and economic issues.

* Montana Conservation Voters: 2015 State Legislative Scorecard

Legislators are scored on bills relating to conservation and the environment.

* Montana Family Foundation

Legislators are scored on their votes for or against Montana Family Foundation's position.

* Montana Sportsmen Alliance

Legislators are scored on bills relating to public land management and wildlife issues.

* NARAL Pro-Choice Montana: 2015 Voting Record

Legislators are scored on bills relating to reproductive health issues.

* Northern Plains Resource Council: Voting Record - 2015 Montana Legislature

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

* United Property Owners of Montana: 2015 Legislative Scorecard

Legislators are scored on bills relating to property rights.

### 2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

### 2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 7 to April 27.

* Lewistown Tea Party: 2013 House and Senate scorecard

Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party.

* MEA-MFT: 2013 Legislature

Legislators are scored on bills deemed important by MEA-MFT to the state teachers' union.

* Montana Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on business and economic issues.

* Montana Conservation Voters: 2013 State Legislative Scorecard

Legislators are scored on conservative and environmental issues.

* Montana Contractors' Association

Legislators are scored by the Montana Contractors' Association on their votes on "environmental legislation, worker’s comp issues, repressive labor legislation and unfair business and employment practices."[16]

* Montana Environmental Information Center: 2013 Senate and House voting records

Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment.

* Montana Family Foundation

Legislators are scored on their votes for or against Montana Family Foundation's position.

* Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG): 2013 Montana Legislative Scorecard

Legislators are scored by MontPIRG on their votes on "issues that best advance the public interest here in our state."

* Montana Weed Control Association: 2013 Legislative Report & Scorecard

Legislators are scored on bills relating to noxious weed management in Montana.[17]

* NARAL Pro-Choice Montana: 2013 Voting Record

Legislators are scored on bills relating to reproductive health issues.

* Northern Plains Resource Council: Voting Record - 2013 Montana Legislature

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation.

* United Property Owners of Montana: 2013 Legislative Scorecard

Legislators are scored on bills relating to property rights.

### 2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].

In 2012, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

## Personal[edit]

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Court and her husband, Jim, have five children.

## Recent news[edit]

This section links to a Google news search for the term "Virginia + Court + Montana + House"

Virginia Court News Feed

## See also[edit]

* Montana State Legislature
* Montana House of Representatives
* Montana House Committees
* Montana Joint Committees
* Montana state legislative districts

## External links[edit]

| Suggest a link

|

* Campaign website
* Campaign Facebook page
* Profile from Open States
* Biography from Project Vote Smart
* Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
* Campaign contributions: 2012, 2010

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Virginia Court, Democrat for House District 52, home page, accessed October 16, 2012
2. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed August 22, 2016
3. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed December 21, 2016
4. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed March 24, 2016
5. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 primary election - June 7, 2016," accessed June 7, 2016
6. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed March 24, 2016
7. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 primary election - June 7, 2016," accessed June 7, 2016
8. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed October 29, 2014
9. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide Primary Election Canvass," accessed June 30, 2014
10. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide General Election Canvass," accessed November 16, 2015
11. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
12. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislative Primary Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
13. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Legislative Primary Canvass - June 08, 2010," accessed March 12, 2014
14. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2010 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed March 12, 2014
15. ↑ Follow the Money, "2010 campaign contributions," accessed March 8, 2014
16. ↑ Montana Contractors' Association, "Stronger Together: Political Representation," accessed November 5, 2015
17. ↑ Montana Weed Control Association, "2013 Legislative Report & Scorecard," accessed September 17, 2014

Political offices

Preceded by
Arlene Becker (D) | Montana House of Representatives District 52
2011–2019  | Succeeded by
Jade Bahr

[show]

Current members of the Montana House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Wylie Galt

Representatives

District 1

Steve Gunderson (R)

District 2

Neil Duram (R)

District 3

Braxton Mitchell (R)

District 4

Matt Regier (R)

District 5

Dave Fern (D)

District 6

Amy Regier (R)

District 7

Frank Garner (R)

District 8

John Fuller (R)

District 9

Brian Putnam (R)

District 10

Mark Noland (R)

District 11

Derek Skees (R)

District 12

Linda Reksten (R)

District 13

Paul Fielder (R)

District 14

Denley Loge (R)

District 15

Marvin Weatherwax (D)

District 16

Tyson Running Wolf (D)

District 17

Ross Fitzgerald (R)

District 18

Llew Jones (R)

District 19

Wendy McKamey (R)

District 20

Fred Anderson (R)

District 21

Edward Buttrey (R)

District 22

Lola Sheldon-Galloway (R)

District 23

Scot Kerns (R)

District 24

Steven Galloway (R)

District 25

Steve Gist (R)

District 26

Jeremy Trebas (R)

District 27

Joshua Kassmier (R)

District 28

Ed Hill (R)

District 29

Doug Flament (R)

District 30

Wylie Galt (R)

District 31

Frank Smith (D)

District 32

Jonathan Windy Boy (D)

District 33

Casey Knudsen (R)

District 34

Rhonda Knudsen (R)

District 35

Brandon Ler (R)

District 36

Bob Phalen (R)

District 37

Jerry Schillinger (R)

District 38

Kenneth Holmlund (R)

District 39

Geraldine Custer (R)

District 40

Barry Usher (R)

District 41

Rynalea Whiteman Pena (D)

District 42

Sharon Stewart-Peregoy (D)

District 43

Kerri Seekins-Crowe (R)

District 44

Larry Brewster (R)

District 45

Katie Zolnikov (R)

District 46

Bill Mercer (R)

District 47

Katharin Kelker (D)

District 48

Jessica Karjala (D)

District 49

Emma Kerr-Carpenter (D)

District 50

Mallerie Stromswold (R)

District 51

Mike Yakawich (R)

District 52

Sherry Essmann (R)

District 53

Dennis Lenz (R)

District 54

Terry Moore (R)

District 55

Vince Ricci (R)

District 56

Sue Vinton (R)

District 57

Fiona Nave (R)

District 58

Seth Berglee (R)

District 59

Marty Malone (R)

District 60

Laurie Bishop (D)

District 61

Jim Hamilton (D)

District 62

Ed Stafman (D)

District 63

Alice Buckley (D)

District 64

Jane Gillette (R)

District 65

Kelly Kortum (D)

District 66

Denise Hayman (D)

District 67

Jedediah Hinkle (R)

District 68

Caleb Hinkle (R)

District 69

Jennifer Carlson (R)

District 70

Julie Dooling (R)

District 71

Kenneth Walsh (R)

District 72

Tom Welch (R)

District 73

Jim Keane (D)

District 74

Derek Harvey (D)

District 75

Marta Bertoglio (R)

District 76

Donavon Hawk (D)

District 77

Sara Novak (D)

District 78

Gregory Frazer (R)

District 79

Robert Farris-Olsen (D)

District 80

Becky Beard (R)

District 81

Mary Caferro (D)

District 82

Moffie Funk (D)

District 83

Kim Abbott (D)

District 84

Mary Dunwell (D)

District 85

Michele Binkley (R)

District 86

David Bedey (R)

District 87

Ron Marshall (R)

District 88

Sharon Greef (R)

District 89

Katie Sullivan (D)

District 90

Marilyn Marler (D)

District 91

Connie Keogh (D)

District 92

Mike Hopkins (R)

District 93

Joe Read (R)

District 94

Tom France (D)

District 95

Danny Tenenbaum (D)

District 96

Kathy Whitman (R)

District 97

Brad Tschida (R)

District 98

Willis Curdy (D)

District 99

Mark Thane (D)

District 100

Andrea Olsen (D)

Republican Party (67)

Democratic Party (33)

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