Dave is married to his wife, and together they have three children. He has served on the Montana High School Athletic Association, the Montana School Board Association, and the Whitefish School Board.

Who’s Running for the Legislature in the Flathead?

Dave owns and operates a chimney maintenance and supply company, Whitefish Chimney Solutions.

Dave Fern

Dave Fern has been a member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 5, since 2017. 

Said, "We need expanded relief to residents who suffer under escalated and unaffordable property taxes."

- Said, "We need expanded relief to residents who suffer under escalated and unaffordable property taxes."

Economy

As a member of the Whitefish School Board, helped designed three schools, prioritizing making them safer in the event of a school shooting.

- As a member of the Whitefish School Board, helped designed three schools, prioritizing making them safer in the event of a school shooting.

Public Safety

Supports raising the state’s Medicaid reimbursement rate and expanding regional healthcare services.

- Supports raising the state’s Medicaid reimbursement rate and expanding regional healthcare services.
- Supports access to abortion.

Healthcare

Supports funding school based mental health programs.

- Supports public preschool programs.
- Supports funding school based mental health programs.

Education

As of June 7, 2025, Dave Fern’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

Energy & the Environment

Facebook

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Doug has a a degree in ornamental horticulture from Auburn University. Doug is married and has three sons, and is a choir director at the First Baptist Church. He serves on the Flathead County Libraries Board of Trustees.

Vote Smart, Doug Adams' Biography

Doug owns a landscaping company, Scapes Inc, in Whitefish. He has also coached youth soccer. 

Ballotpedia, Doug Adams (Montana)

Falthead Beacon, Who’s Running for the Legislature in the Flathead?

Doug Adams ran for Montana House of Representatives to represent District 5 in 2014, but did not win. He has served for four years on the Whitefish City Council, including two years as deputy mayor. 

Candidate website

Said, "I will advocate for lowering tax rates for individuals and businesses to spur economic growth and job creation without spending taxpayer dollars, and enable workers to retain more of their hard-earned money..."

Supports lowering tax rates for individuals and businesses.

Said, "A balanced budget doesn’t guarantee a lean budget. I will advocate for a smaller state budget in order to facilitate lower property and income taxes... I will advocate for fewer state employees and leaner department budgets, and no new government programs."

Supports lowering taxes by employing fewer state employees, giving smaller department budgets, and having no new government programs.

Said, "• I will support measures to eliminate loopholes and special interest deductions, ensuring that the tax burden is distributed fairly and equitably among taxpayers."

Supports measures to eliminate loopholes and special interest deductions.

Opposes tax increases as a solution to inflation, supports policy changes to prevent inflation, and advocates for significant tax rate reductions, citing state refunds as evidence that taxes are not lagging behind inflation.

Opposes tax increases as a solution to inflation, supports policy changes to prevent inflation, and advocates for significant tax rate reductions.

Opposes governmental solutions for affordable housing.

- Supports lowering tax rates for individuals and businesses.
- Supports lowering taxes by employing fewer state employees, giving smaller department budgets, and having no new government programs.
- Supports measures to eliminate loopholes and special interest deductions.
- Opposes tax increases as a solution to inflation, supports policy changes to prevent inflation, and advocates for significant tax rate reductions.
- Opposes governmental solutions for affordable housing.

Plans to advocate for harsher penalties for DUI offenses in Montana, including increased fines, jail time, and revocation of driving privileges, citing the state's current leniency and high rates of repeat DUI incidents as inadequate deterrence.

Said, "• Restitution... I will advocate for restitution, plus interest, to victims of crimes."

Supports restitution, plus interest, for victims of crimes.

Said, "• Truth in sentencing... A common excuse is that jails are overcrowded. Jails should be safe, not comfortable. I will advocate for truth in sentencing, because criminals shouldn’t get off easy."

Supports convicts serving their full sentences, and dismisses overcrowding as an issue, saying "Jails should be safe, not comfortable."

Said, "• I will advocate for the protection of Second Amendment rights, including opposing any legislation that restricts law-abiding citizens’ ability to own and carry firearms for self-defense and sporting purposes (Remember, you can’t even hunt without the 2nd Amendment)."

Said, "• I will support measures to enhance gun safety through education and responsible gun ownership programs rather than through restrictive regulations that infringe on Constitutional rights."

Supports gun safety education and responsible gun ownership programs.

- Plans to advocate for harsher penalties for DUI offenses in Montana, including increased fines, jail time, and revocation of driving privileges, citing the state's current leniency and high rates of repeat DUI incidents as inadequate deterrence.
- Supports restitution, plus interest, for victims of crimes.
- Supports convicts serving their full sentences, and dismisses overcrowding as an issue, saying "Jails should be safe, not comfortable."
- Opposes gun control. 
- Supports gun safety education and responsible gun ownership programs.

Said, "• I will advocate for policies that strengthen families, including supporting parental rights in education and opposing efforts to indoctrinate children with ideological agendas in schools. Why? Because I care aboutcha. You’re my peeps, my homies. I love you, man!"

Supports parental rights in education and opposes efforts to "indoctrinate children with ideological agendas in schools."

Supports character education, civics, and American history in schools to foster patriotism and civic duty, believing children should be grateful for opportunities, not expect entitlements.

Supports character education, civics, and American history in schools to foster patriotism and civic duty.

Opposes the use of a Common Core Curriculum, because of the possibility of “indoctrinating children into political correctness.”

- Supports parental rights in education and opposes efforts to "indoctrinate children with ideological agendas in schools."
- Supports character education, civics, and American history in schools to foster patriotism and civic duty.
- Opposes the use of a Common Core Curriculum, because of the possibility of “indoctrinating children into political correctness.”

Said, "• I will not vote for extending welfare benefits to illegal aliens or allowing them to vote. Unless they promise to vote for me. Just kidding. I was checking to see if you’ve been paying attention."

Opposes extending welfare benefits or the right to vote to "illegal aliens."

- Opposes extending welfare benefits or the right to vote to "illegal aliens."

Supports the production and use of coal, oil, and gas.

- Supports the production and use of coal, oil, and gas.

Doug Adams

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the Montana Senate. The Montana Senate is the upper house of the Montana State Legislature (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Senators are elected to a 4-year term. Individuals can serve no more than 8 years in a 16-year period.