Ballotpedia: Mary Ann Nicholas

Mary grew up in Southwest Montana and graduated from Beaverhead County High School before earning a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of Montana.

Mary has experience in private practice, working in natural resources, family, and criminal law, and has done pro bono work for family services and the Women’s Resource Center. She has over 25 years of experience in banking, focusing on agricultural, real estate, and commercial lending. Additionally, she has served on two governor-appointed boards in Montana, the DNRC and the Petroleum Tank Release Board.

Mary Ann Nicholas' campaign for state representative is her first entry into politics.

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Private property ownership from owning your own home to owning a farm or ranch operation, is fundamental to a free market system."

Said, "Private property ownership from owning your own home to owning a farm or ranch operation, is fundamental to a free market system."

Said, "My years in banking gave me a background to understand both the vital role that agriculture plays in our local economy... I’ll work to support agriculture, an essential anchor in our Montana economy."

Plans to support agriculture as an important part of the economy.

Plans to ensure fiscal responsibility, supports tax cuts for businesses and property owners, and advocates for policies fostering job growth and a robust business climate in Montana.

Supports common sense conservative economic policies, advocates for small business growth, lower taxes, and agricultural interests, emphasizing individual liberty and rural community prosperity. Plans to leverage legal and local business experience to address state issues.

Supports "common sense conservative" economic policies, advocates for small business growth, lower taxes, and agricultural interests, emphasizing individual liberty and rural community prosperity, and plans to leverage legal and local business experience to address state issues.

- Said, "Private property ownership from owning your own home to owning a farm or ranch operation, is fundamental to a free market system."
- Plans to support agriculture as an important part of the economy.
- Plans to ensure fiscal responsibility, supports tax cuts for businesses and property owners, and advocates for policies fostering job growth and a robust business climate in Montana.
- Supports "common sense conservative" economic policies, advocates for small business growth, lower taxes, and agricultural interests, emphasizing individual liberty and rural community prosperity, and plans to leverage legal and local business experience to address state issues.

Economy

As of April 10, 2024, Mary Ann Nicholas’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Said, "The cost and access is a concern for our state... Too many federal laws designed to bring down costs have driven up the price and burdened families trying to pay medical bills... There is also a shortage of medical professionals. I will work towards relieving this burden that has hit Montana families so hard."

Said, "Too many federal laws designed to bring down costs have driven up the price and burdened families trying to pay medical bills... There is also a shortage of medical professionals. I will work towards relieving this burden that has hit Montana families so hard."

Said, "I'm Pro-life and as a woman, I'm particularly focused on solutions to strengthen options for families and women in crisis."

- Said, "Too many federal laws designed to bring down costs have driven up the price and burdened families trying to pay medical bills... There is also a shortage of medical professionals. I will work towards relieving this burden that has hit Montana families so hard."
- Opposes abortion.

Healthcare

Said, "I am a gun owner and strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment. I will never stop defending our right to keep and bear arms."

Opposes gun control and supports the Second Amendment as a gun owner.

Said, "Keeping our community safe is a top priority. I will work with law enforcement to make sure they have the resources they need to keep our community safe."

- Opposes gun control and supports the Second Amendment as a gun owner.
- Said, "Keeping our community safe is a top priority. I will work with law enforcement to make sure they have the resources they need to keep our community safe."

Public Safety

Voting & Elections

Said, "I look forward to exploring and working with the issues around school choice and finding solutions that address all families."

Education

Facebook

Mary Ann Nicholas

Mary Ann Nicholas grew up in Southwest Montana and graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1978 before earning a BA and a JD from the University of Montana. She has deep family ties to Dillon, Montana, where her family has lived for over 60 years. There is no information provided about her church affiliation or details regarding her family.

Mary Ann Nicholas has a BA and a JD from the University of Montana and was admitted to the State Bar of Montana in 1984. She has experience in private practice, working in natural resources, family, and criminal law, and has done pro bono work for family services and the Women’s Resource Center. She has over 25 years of experience in banking, focusing on agricultural, real estate, and commercial lending. Additionally, she has served on two governor-appointed boards in Montana, the DNRC and the Petroleum Tank Release Board.

Mary Ann Nicholas has experience serving the citizens of Montana on two governor-appointed boards: the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board. She has also been involved with the University of Montana-Western Foundation Board. She is currently running for House District 70. There is no mention of her holding an elected office prior to this candidacy.

The candidate's website says, "The Montana Farm Bureau PAC endorses candidates who support agriculture and the values of rural Montana."

- 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.