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PROPERTY TAX AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF: A DRUMMOND EXAMPLE (BASED ON THE ACTUAL VALUE OF A RESIDENCE ON EDWARDS STREET) BACKGROUND Over 99 percent of the property tax collected in Montana is spent by local governments as follows: Public Schools 56% Counties 30% Cities/Towns 11% Special Districts 4% TOTAL

By Peggy Lynn, Anaconda Published in the Seeley Swan Pathfinder April 23, 2026 I am writing this letter in order to express my support for John Fitzpatrick for House District 76. As a native Montanan who taught school in West Yellowstone, MT for many years, I experienced first hand the challenges rural school districts in our state face keeping up with teacher’s salaries, paying for infrastructure maintenance, and purchasing student supplies. Without funding assistance from t

April 15, 2026 Representative John Fitzpatrick is proud to be endorsed by two of the leading groups supporting Montana agriculture: the Montana Farm Bureau and the Montana Stockgrowers Association. Both groups endorsed John Fitzpatrick for re-election to Montana House District 76. "I was born and raised in rural Montana. Our farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our state and the hardworking families who make Montana great. I will continue to stand up for farmers and ranch

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Public Health Department and Anaconda Rotary Club recently awarded Rep. John Fitzpatrick a Certificate of Appreciation for his work to protect public health and prevent vaccine-preventable disease in Montana. Fitzpatrick said, “HD 76 has the highest rate of Covid vaccination of Montana’s rural legislative districts. During the 2025 Legislative Session, I strongly opposed HB 371 which sought to ban the Covid vaccine in Montana. I champion freedom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 2026 Rep. John Fitzpatrick, Republican, who represented House District 76 in the 2025 Legislature, announced today that he has filed for re-election, seeking a third term in the Montana Legislature. House District 76 includes the Georgetown Lake area of Deer Lodge County where Fitzpatrick lives, all of Granite and Powell Counties, Seeley Lake in Missoula County, and the Canyon Creek/Marysville area northwest of Helena in Lewis and Clark County.

Dark money groups. Party bosses. Social media trolls. They're all spreading lies about Rep. John Fitzpatrick and his record in Helena. From debunked residency claims to manipulated budget numbers, the misinformation campaign against HD-76's representative is relentless—but the facts tell a different story. Exposed inside: the truth about Fitzpatrick's residency, Montana's actual budget growth, his real voting record, and what HB 231 actually does for property taxes. Don't let

The Party Bosses want control. I want results. For nearly two decades, extremists have tried to purge commonsense conservatives from Montana's Republican Party. In 2025, nine brave senators said NO—and delivered real property tax relief for Montanans. Now dark money groups and out-of-state donors are funding another attack. My answer? The same as always: I represent HD-76, not the Bosses. It's time to end extremist tyranny in Montana.

A senator from a town of 12 people—500 miles away—is lying about my voting record. Why? Because the Party Bosses told him to. Senator Phalen claims I voted to give illegal aliens driver's licenses. The bill actually requires proof of lawful U.S. residence. It's in the text for anyone to read. The Bosses can't control me, so they spread lies. I work for HD-76—not party insiders, dark money groups, or out-of-state interests.

The residency lie just got debunked—by a neighbor. Helena attorney Richard Tappan confirms Rep. John Fitzpatrick lives at Georgetown Lake, not Helena. Tappan has mowed Fitzpatrick's empty Helena property for years. Even worse? David Kesler III posted a photo of Tappan's house claiming it was Fitzpatrick's. Now Tappan is demanding removal and threatening legal action. Read his full certified letter inside.

The numbers don't lie. Former County Commissioner Kevin Hart responds to Senator Becky Beard's attacks on Rep. John Fitzpatrick with cold, hard facts: 19 bills passed vs. 3. A 73% success rate vs. 21%. Property tax relief, prison funding, hospital beds, state employee raises—Fitzpatrick delivered. Beard voted no. One legislator fights for Southwest Montana. The other sides with Flathead and Big Sky. Read the full letter inside.

The task of an elected legislator is to represent their constituent’s and pass legislation that benefits the district.

By Representative John Fitzpatrick Published in the Anaconda Leader January 3, 2026 On December 19th, the Leader published a letter from Flathead County State Senator Matt Regier in which he labelled me the Grinch of 76, a reference to my House District number. Unless you’re a legislative wonk, you probably don’t know who Matt Regier is and probably don’t care. However, with Schreiber getting Matt Regier’s endorsement is just further proof that California transplant “Tax-Hik

Americans for Prosperity, a dark money group from Virginia, is working to elect California transplant “Tax-Hike” Trish Schreiber.

As the 2025 legislative session moved toward adjournment, two bills, HB 231 and SB 542, were passed to provide property tax relief to about 90% of Montanans for their primary residence.