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Shannon Maness
REPUBLICAN
Shannon Maness is running for Montana State Representative, District 70.
Personal background
Shannon grew up in north Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in animal science and a minor in agricultural economics. Shannon and his wife have two children. Shannon serves as the finance chairman of the Beaverhead County Republican Central Committee, where he has also held the position of secretary/treasurer.
Professional background
Shannon is currently an elected trustee of the Dillon Elementary School Board. He has worked as a cutting horse trainer, real estate agent, and UPS delivery driver. After moving to Montana, he worked as a hunting guide and in Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. He later managed a local recreational ranch before starting his own business, Blacktail Appliance Repair, in 2018.
Political background
Shannon Maness' campaign for state representative is his first entry into politics.
Economy
Supports prudent budgeting by legislators, endorsing limited, efficient spending, minimal taxes, reduced debt, fewer regulations, and privatization to stimulate job creation, increase tax revenue, and enhance personal financial stability across all socio-economic levels.
Believes agriculture significantly impacts the county's economy, providing 8.61% of jobs directly and approximately 24% when including related industries, with national forests contributing to economic activities like grazing and logging.
Supports policies that lower energy costs, ensure fair resource regulation, protect property rights, safeguard U.S. land ownership, enhance biosecurity, manage predators, promote free trade, and assist young farmers through rural development and reduced bureaucracy for innovation.
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Energy & the Environment
Said, "I have an opportunity to advocate for vigorous forest management through tree harvesting and grazing... which provides... and importantly, reduces forest floor fuel load, for sound, economically effective, property and life-saving forest fire suppression strategies."
Supports improvement in forage land and water sources, believing they also benefit local wildlife populations, which improves hunting throughout the region.
Said, "I have an opportunity to advocate for food safety and security based reliable scientific research... not on... Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG—also known in agriculture as “transformative investment”), which diverts resources from profitable food, fiber and fuel production."
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Healthcare
Opposes a federal healthcare system that tries to meet general needs, and looks to create an individualized system that meets people's personal needs.
Supports a free market style of healthcare that allows the states to make healthcare decisions.
Said, "As your state representative, I will look at the numbers and the pros and cons to help our state make the best decisions possible to protect our most vulnerable... If someone goes to the hospital for care and has no insurance or ability to pay, the hospital will still treat the person but then receive no payment... Neither of these options is a viable long-term solution."
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Public Safety
Opposes incremental laws that erode gun rights under public safety guise, criticizes "Gun Free Zones," and views expansions of "Red Flag" laws as potential for administrative overreach and constitutional infringement.
Said, "We need to maintain our right to self-defense and responsible firearm use is one of the most effective means for defending ourselves and our property."
Said, "Another avenue for infringing on our second amendment right is by making ownership and use cost- prohibitive through excessive taxes, bringing lawsuits against gun and ammunition manufactures, and banning certain affordable bullets."
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Voting & Elections
As of September 17, 2024, Shannon Maness’s website did not contain information on this issue.
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Education
Believes in quality education's importance for Montana's future, with local school boards' decision-making key to tailoring education to community needs; supports local authority, as evidenced by their role as a trustee in School District 10.
Supports charter and trade schools in Montana, advocating for educational choices and vocational training to address workforce shortages in trades and enable youth to prosper locally.
Opposes education about race and racism.
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