Jason Ellsworth

American politician

Jason Ellsworth

President of the Montana Senate
In office
January 2, 2023 – January 6, 2025
Preceded by| Mark Blasdel
Succeeded by| Matt Regier
President pro tempore of the Montana Senate
In office
January 4, 2021 – January 2, 2023
Preceded by| Mark Blasdel
Succeeded by| Kenneth Bogner
Member of the Montana Senate
from the 43rd district

Incumbent

Assumed office
January 7, 2019
Preceded by| Patrick Connell
Personal details
Born| 1973 (age 51-52)
Laconia, New Hampshire, U.S.
Political party| Republican
Children| 4
Signature|

Jason Ellsworth is an American politician serving as a Republican member of the Montana Senate. First elected in 2019, Ellsworth serves as the President pro Tempore of the Montana Senate.[1][2]

## Official Travel

[edit]

In January 2021, Ellsworth was stopped for speeding on the interstate near Helena and told the trooper that he was late to a meeting with Governor Greg Gianforte. The trooper let him go without issuing a ticket.[3]

In May 2021, Ellsworth was stopped again by a highway patrol trooper en route to Helena on suspicion of speeding, having been clocked doing 88 mph. In the encounter, Ellsworth threatened to contact the state's attorney general on the officer and claimed he couldn't be arrested because he was a lawmaker on his way to legislative work. Ellsworth was subsequently charged for speeding through a construction zone or an alternative charge of reckless driving and obstructing a peace officer.[3]

## 2023 Legislative Session

[edit]

After being selected President Pro Tempore of the Montana Senate around December 2022, Ellsworth gave a speech in which he said, “We're going to have an opportunity next session, because we're going to have a supermajority, to potentially pass constitutional initiatives, and give those votes to the people.” When asked by a journalist what type of constitutional amendments were being considered, Ellsworth said he did not know any specifics, and that the only reason he made the above statement was because he felt people "needed to be cognizant of that (the opportunity to pass amendments)..." It was later revealed that 38 constitutional amendments were being drafted at the time, according to the state legislature's own website.[4]

## 2025

[edit]

Ellsworth was a part of a moderate coalition of 9 Republicans formed with Democrats in the 69th Montana Legislature, dubbed the "nasty nine" by opponents and was censured on March 27 for his efforts.[5]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Copper Book: Lawmakers of Montana, Legislative Session of 2021". Montana State Legislature. Montana Legislative Services Division. p. 11. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
2. ^ "Jason Ellsworth - Montana Environmental Information Center - MEIC". meic.org. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
3. ^ a b Hanson, Amy Beth (July 20, 2021). "Montana senator charged with speeding, obstructing officer". AP NEWS. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
4. ^ Marino, Michael (December 9, 2022). "GOP Hints at 38 Constitutional Amendment Proposals in 2023". Yellowstone County News.
5. ^ Downing, Suzanne (April 23, 2025). "Montana Republican Party censures nine Republican senators for abandoning party's legislative majority". Must Read Alaska. Retrieved May 31, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official Facebook

Montana Senate

Preceded by

Mark Blasdel

|  President pro tempore of the Montana Senate
2021–2023  | Succeeded by

Kenneth Bogner

Political offices
Preceded by

Mark Blasdel

|  President of the Montana Senate
2023–2025  | Succeeded by

Matt Regier

* v
* t
* e

Members of the Montana Senate

69th Legislature (2025-2026)

President of the Senate
Matt Regier (R)
President pro tempore
Kenneth Bogner (R)
Majority Leader
Tom McGillvray (R)
Minority Leader
Pat Flowers (D)

1. ▌Mike Cuffe (R)
2. ▌Dave Fern (D)
3. ▌Carl Glimm (R)
4. ▌John Fuller (R)
5. ▌Matt Regier (R)
6. ▌Mark Noland (R)
7. ▌Greg Hertz (R)
8. ▌Susan Webber (D)
9. ▌Bruce Gillespie (R)
10. ▌Jeremy Trebas (R)
11. ▌Daniel Emrich (R)
12. ▌Wendy McKamey (R)
13. ▌Joshua Kassmier (R)
14. ▌Russel Tempel (R)
15. ▌Gregg Hunter (R)
16. ▌Jonathan Windy Boy (D)
17. ▌Bob Phalen (R)
18. ▌Kenneth Bogner (R)
19. ▌Barry Usher (R)
20. ▌Sue Vinton (R)
21. ▌Gayle Lammers (R)
22. ▌Daniel Zolnikov (R)
23. ▌Emma Kerr-Carpenter (D)
24. ▌Mike Yakawich (R)
25. ▌Dennis Lenz (R)
26. ▌Vince Ricci (R)
27. ▌Dennis Lenz (R)
28. ▌Forrest Mandeville (R)
29. ▌John Esp (R)
30. ▌Cora Neumann (D)
31. ▌Pat Flowers (D)
32. ▌Denise Hayman (D)
33. ▌Christopher Pope (D)
34. ▌Shelley Vance (R)
35. ▌Tony Tezak (R)
36. ▌Sara Novak (D)
37. ▌Derek Harvey (D)
38. ▌Becky Beard (R)
39. ▌Wylie Galt (R)
40. ▌Laura Smith (D)
41. ▌Janet Ellis (D)
42. ▌Mary Ann Dunwell (D)
43. ▌Jason Ellsworth (R)
44. ▌Theresa Manzella (R)
45. ▌Denley Loge (R)
46. ▌Jacinda Morigeau (D)
47. ▌Ellie Boldman (D)
48. ▌Andrea Olsen (D)
49. ▌Willis Curdy (D)
50. ▌Shane Morigeau (D)

* ▌Republican (32)
* ▌Democratic (18)

* Montana Legislature
* House
* Senate
* List of past legislatures

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