Debo is a Volunteer Wilderness Patrol in Glacier National Park and a Volunteer Fire Lookout in Flathead National Forest. She has served on the boards of four Montana non-profit conservation organizations. She attended Pensacola Community College and Florida State University, earning a bachelor’s degree. 

Debo is a retired public-school teacher, principal, and a union member in the Montana Federation of Public Employees.

Debo Powers served as the Representative for Montana House District 3 from October 2019 until January 2021 after being appointed to fill the position when the former representative resigned during his term of office. She ran for election to hold on to that seat in November 2020 but did not win.

Election 2020: Debo Powers, House District 3

Said, "I will work for a more equitable tax structure based on the ability to pay... I will work hard for property tax relief."

Said, "We need to find workable solutions for affordable housing."

Wants "to see laws that make it easier for Montana agriculture producers to sell more of their products in state."

- Said, "I will work for a more equitable tax structure based on the ability to pay... I will work hard for property tax relief."
- Said, "We need to find workable solutions for affordable housing."
- Opposes a statewide sales tax.
- Wants "to see laws that make it easier for Montana agriculture producers to sell more of their products in state."

Economy

Wants to "keep public lands in public hands."

Said, "Our Legislature has an abysmal record of lowering water quality standards, as well as support for the fossil fuel industry that is exacerbating the climate crisis.  This must change. As a legislator, I will support our Constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment."

Said, "The state could do more to encourage renewable energy, like wind and solar, such as easing regulations on net metering, which allows solar and wind users to gain a credit on their electric bill, rather than be off the grid entirely."

- Wants to "keep public lands in public hands."
- Said, "Our Legislature has an abysmal record of lowering water quality standards, as well as support for the fossil fuel industry that is exacerbating the climate crisis.  This must change. As a legislator, I will support our Constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment."
- Said, "The state could do more to encourage renewable energy, like wind and solar, such as easing regulations on net metering, which allows solar and wind users to gain a credit on their electric bill, rather than be off the grid entirely."

Energy & the Environment

Said, "I will stand against any attempt to diminish our right to privacy and our reproductive freedom."

Supports continuing Medicaid expansion into the future.

- Said, "I will stand against any attempt to diminish our right to privacy and our reproductive freedom."
- Supports continuing Medicaid expansion into the future.

Healthcare

As of April 10, 2024, Debo Powers’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Said, "I will stand strong against any attempts to decrease the effectiveness of our democracy."

- Said, "I will stand strong against any attempts to decrease the effectiveness of our democracy."

Voting & Elections

Flathead Democrats Vie for Newly Drawn State House Seat

Said, "The Legislature needs to allocate enough money for quality public education... I will be a champion for quality public education and funding it adequately."

Said, "We have good schools here, but in order to maintain those good schools, we have to make sure that schools have the resources they need."

Wants the Legislature make progress on better teacher pay.

- Said, "The Legislature needs to allocate enough money for quality public education... I will be a champion for quality public education and funding it adequately."
- Said, "We have good schools here, but in order to maintain those good schools, we have to make sure that schools have the resources they need."
- Wants the Legislature make progress on better teacher pay.

Education

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Debo Powers

Guthrie runs Quist Montana Properties, a real estate and property management business with his wife. He is also a filmmaker. He has also worked as a paid political consultant and campaign aide on congressional campaigns in various states, including Montana, Wyoming, and New Hampshire.

Guthrie Quist previously ran for state senator of District 3 in 2020, but did not win.

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "We should expand the 'Resort Tax' which creates revenue from out of state, seasonal tourists ... and expand it to the whole state so that other communities can share in the bounty of our profitable tourism industry and lessen the tax burden on Montana Residents."

Supports expansion of the "Resort Tax" which creates revenue from out of state, seasonal tourists to the entire state in order to lessen tax burdens on residents.

Supports workforce housing investment via public-private partnerships, increasing state housing infrastructure funds, streamlining permitting, protecting renter's rights, and encouraging renting vacation homes to locals to combat housing shortages.

Opposes higher taxes on Montana families for the benefit of the wealthy and large corporations; supports significant, lasting property tax relief, including caps on family tax burdens, homestead exemptions, and expanded credits for elderly homeowners and renters.

Said, "We should repeal the Martz Tax Cuts that apply to only the richest Montanans... and places more of the tax burden on the Middle class and Working Montana Families."

The candidate's website says, "Expanding the Best Beginnings childcare program for working Montana families because our economy depends on high-quality childcare that working families can afford."

Supports the expansion of the Best Beginnings childcare program for working Montana families "because our economy depends on high-quality childcare that working families can afford."

- Supports expansion of the "Resort Tax" which creates revenue from out of state, seasonal tourists to the entire state in order to lessen tax burdens on residents.
- Supports workforce housing investment via public-private partnerships, increasing state housing infrastructure funds, streamlining permitting, protecting renter's rights, and encouraging renting vacation homes to locals to combat housing shortages.
- Opposes higher taxes on Montana families for the benefit of the wealthy and large corporations; supports significant, lasting property tax relief, including caps on family tax burdens, homestead exemptions, and expanded credits for elderly homeowners and renters.
- Said, "We should repeal the Martz Tax Cuts that apply to only the richest Montanans... and places more of the tax burden on the Middle class and Working Montana Families."
- Supports the expansion of the Best Beginnings childcare program for working Montana families "because our economy depends on high-quality childcare that working families can afford."

Said, "Keep our public lands open and accessible... Transferring ownership to the state, which lacks the resources to manage them, will result in a massive selloff of our public lands to corporate interests... We must defend our public lands for future generations to enjoy."

Wants to keep public lands open and accessible, opposing transferring ownership to the state due to their lack of ability to manage the lands. 

The candidate's website says, "Power lines can be moved underground, which ... saves money in the long run from not having to repair them every time a windstorm sweeps through and improves efficiency in the power lines."

Supports moving power lines underground, which "saves money in the long run from not having to repair them every time a windstorm sweeps through and improves efficiency in the power lines."

- Wants to keep public lands open and accessible, opposing transferring ownership to the state due to their lack of ability to manage the lands. 
- Supports moving power lines underground, which "saves money in the long run from not having to repair them every time a windstorm sweeps through and improves efficiency in the power lines."

The candidate's website says, "We should expand Medicare to cover anyone making less than 50K per year and make Healthy Montana Kids an option for all children in the state of Montana."

Supports Medicare expansion to cover anyone making less than 50K per year and make Healthy Montana Kids an option for all children in the state of Montana.

- Supports Medicare expansion to cover anyone making less than 50K per year and make Healthy Montana Kids an option for all children in the state of Montana.

Supports enacting "Alice and Katie’s Law" for stricter DUI penalties, including mandatory license suspension and breathalyzer installation, while encouraging responsible drinking and the use of ride-sharing services to enhance public safety on Montana's roads.

- Supports enacting "Alice and Katie’s Law" for stricter DUI penalties, including mandatory license suspension and breathalyzer installation, while encouraging responsible drinking and the use of ride-sharing services to enhance public safety on Montana's roads.

As of April 10, 2024, Guthrie Quist’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports prioritizing education and increasing Montana teachers' salaries to match early 1990s levels, adjusted for inflation and cost of living, to invest in children's futures.

- Supports prioritizing education and increasing Montana teachers' salaries to match early 1990s levels, adjusted for inflation and cost of living, to invest in children's futures.

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Guthrie Quist

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 100 members of the Montana House of Representatives. The Montana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Montana State Legislature (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative 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 Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative 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 Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. Individuals can serve no more than 8 years in a 16-year period.

Montana State Representative, District 3, Democratic Primary

Election results

Candidates (2)