Ballotpedia: Dave Kessler III

Dave is a rancher, welder, builder, machinist, and farmer, working on the same ranch in Philipsburg that has been in his family for three generations. He has also been involved in family and child rights advocacy for three decades, including testifying before legislatures and volunteering with shelters and women's groups.

Dave Kesler III's campaign for state representative is his first entry into politics.

Candidate website

Plans to introduce legislation capping property tax hikes at half the inflation rate average over the past three years, opposing the doubling of this rate approved by the opponent in HB481.

Said, "I would also like to end the tax on Social Security... That’s money they’ve already paid taxes on... My opponent is dead set against ending the tax on Social Security income."

Plans to honor veterans with benefits including free vehicle license plates, hunting/fishing licenses, property tax relief, and tax exemption on retirement payments, reflecting deep respect and gratitude for their service.

Plans to give veterans benefits including free vehicle license plates, hunting/fishing licenses, property tax relief, and tax exemption on retirement payments.

- Plans to introduce legislation capping property tax hikes at half the inflation rate average over the past three years, opposing the doubling of this rate approved by the opponent in HB481.
- Wants to end the tax on Social Security.
- Plans to give veterans benefits including free vehicle license plates, hunting/fishing licenses, property tax relief, and tax exemption on retirement payments.

Economy

As of April 10, 2024, Dave Kesler III’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Said, "We NEED a hospital for the mentally ill or indigent... I would propose an audit of the Montana State Hospital be conducted by the private hospitals... and an operating plan be drafted by them and implemented. I would be open to private management or even privatization of the State Hospital if the State can’t manage it feasibly."

Advocates for the creation of a hospital for the mentally ill. 

Said, "I do not support abortion. Abortion for convenience is murder. I would not vote to fund abortions with tax dollars or Medicaid, etc., as my opponent did (HB544)."

Opposes abortion, saying, "Abortion for convenience is murder."

The candidate's website says, "“Transitioning” is fast becoming a multi-billion dollar mutilation industry ... surgeries and hormonal treatments do nothing to lessen the disorder and in fact further damage the patients..."

Said, "'Transitioning' is fast becoming a multi-billion dollar mutilation industry ... surgeries and hormonal treatments do nothing to lessen the disorder and in fact further damage the patients..."

Calls for an audit of the Montana State Hospital conducted by private hospitals, saying, "I would be open to private management or even privatization of the State Hospital if the State can’t manage it feasibly."

- Advocates for the creation of a hospital for the mentally ill. 
- Opposes abortion, saying, "Abortion for convenience is murder."
- Said, "'Transitioning' is fast becoming a multi-billion dollar mutilation industry ... surgeries and hormonal treatments do nothing to lessen the disorder and in fact further damage the patients..."
- Calls for an audit of the Montana State Hospital conducted by private hospitals, saying, "I would be open to private management or even privatization of the State Hospital if the State can’t manage it feasibly."

Healthcare

Supports law enforcement and first responders, advocates for their protection from frivolous lawsuits, and believes in limited Qualified Immunity, excluding intentional rights violations.

Supports law enforcement and first responders, advocates for their protection from lawsuits, and believes in limited Qualified Immunity, excluding intentional rights violations.

Supports Second Amendment rights, opposes firearms registration and restrictions, and plans to vote for hunting, fishing, and trapping as constitutional rights, while backing local law enforcement to protect these liberties.

- Supports law enforcement and first responders, advocates for their protection from lawsuits, and believes in limited Qualified Immunity, excluding intentional rights violations.
- Supports Second Amendment rights, opposes firearms registration and restrictions, and plans to vote for hunting, fishing, and trapping as constitutional rights, while backing local law enforcement to protect these liberties.

Public Safety

Voting & Elections

Education

Facebook

Dave Kesler III

Dave Kesler III is a single father raising his 11-year-old daughter, who is a high-honor roll student with perfect attendance, attending the same school that her grandparents and Dave did. They are the third and fourth generations, respectively, living on and working the same family ranch in Philipsburg. There is no information provided about the church they attend.

Dave Kesler III is a rancher, welder, builder, machinist, and farmer, with a history of working on the same ranch in Philipsburg that has been in his family for three generations. He has also been involved in family and child rights advocacy for three decades, including testifying before legislatures and volunteering with shelters and women's groups.

As of May 22, 2024, Dave Kesler III’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "If you look at the State Checkbook you’ll find that there were “confidential payments” of $1,997,826,268.87 in fiscal year 2023... Google says Montana took in $2.1Billion in Property taxes... It’s inconceivable that our State employees can “confidentially” pay, or pay off anyone, especially to the amount of nearly our entire Property tax base!!"

The candidate's website says, "“The cost of local government services are pre-eminently personnel costs and when a budget has to be trimmed by more than just a smidgeon, it usually means layoffs, no pay raises, or a reduction in employee benefits.”"

The candidate's website says, "Voted NO 2 out of 3 times HB816 (Passed) Created property and income tax rebates."

The candidate's website says, "Carried and voted YES HB13 (Passed) Gave State employees a 4% pay raise and bonuses, costing taxpayers $66.9 Million the first year alone. (We’re struggling to make ends meet and he’s handing out bonuses to his buddies!)"

The candidate's website says, "Sponsored and voted YES HB375 (Failed) John tried to get $500k to pave part of the road to Lost Creek Park... Philipsburg needs $5Mil for a new water filtration plant, $7mil+ for a sewage plant..."

Said, "I’m running for office to clean up the Governmental waste, overreach and excess taxes we’re all enduring... helped kill legislation that was definitely not in the best interest of the people."

The candidate's website says, "Voted YES HB539 (Passed) Loosens restrictions on alcohol licenses, locations and hours of service, etc."

The candidate's website says, "Montana Conservation Voters (enviro-groups) rank John at 57% after voting for 4 of their 7 bills.(page 10) MCV_LegScorecard2023_final.pdf (mtvoters.org)"

Said, "Montana taxpayers are funding the Montana State Hospital with an ADDITIONAL $40 million dollars a year OVER THEIR EXISTING BUDGET... Spending $40mil to get $7mil? Why are we funding this when most of Montana’s mental hospital patients are sent out of state to PRIVATE hospitals for treatment?"

The candidate's website says, "Voted NO HB544 (Passed) Requires State funding of abortion only when medically necessary, to save the mother’s life or in cases of rape or incest."

Said, "There are government agencies with unelected employees that operate under full immunity from the consequences of their actions. ... I’ve witnessed situations with willful, blatant violations of Constitutional rights. ... These agencies will allow a legislator to view the files, with written request, but ONLY after the Legislator signs a gag-order. ..."

Said, "SB250 would have implemented the Federal 'Kayden’s Law' that would have prevented forced re-unification of a child with their abuser... Montana could have been the first but will now be one of the last thanks to my opponent’s 'NO' vote..."

The candidate's website says, "Voted NO HB356 (Passed) Prevents discrimination by banks or government against firearms entities/manufacturers."

The candidate's website says, "Voted NO HB604 (Failed) Would have required Federal agents to notify local Sheriff prior to conducting raids in the County."

Said, "Voted NO HB37 (Passed but vetoed) Requires a warrant prior to removal of a child from their home in non-emergency situations. (Only 2 no votes in the entire house, even the Dems voted for it!)"

Said, "Voted NO SB250 (Failed) Common sense law that would have protected children from child abuse, prevented brainwashing in “reunification” camps, etc by adopting the Federally passed, “Kayden’s Law”. The Fed would have given Montana about $5mil for adopting this."

The candidate's website says, "HB90, Required a hearing within 5 days of child removal by CPS instead of the previous 90 days."

Said, "...State Courts issue oral rulings...and whole conversations that were missing from the written transcript...Why bother having Court Transcripts if they’re not 100% accurate? We need accurate accountability..."

Said, "Voted NO HB196 (Passed) Increased transparency and accountability for vote counting, poll watchers, etc."

The candidate's website says, "SB400, Parental Bill of Rights guaranteeing parents the right to parent their children and granting recourse for violations of that right."

Said, "Voted NO 2 out of 3 times HB234 (Passed) Protects our children by keeping queer and other pornography out of schools."

Said, "Voted NO HB361 (Passed) Allows a student to call another kid by their birth name and gender without prosecution"

The candidate's website says, "Voted NO HB393 (Passed) Guarantees equal rights and access of special needs children to schools."

The candidate's website says, "Voted YES HB837 (Failed) Would have required schools to allow parents to know what they’re teaching their children."

- 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.

Your representative and state lawmaker in Montana House of Representatives

Healthcare Costs

Environment

Montana

State Representative

As state representative, "Voted NO 2 out of 3 times HB816 (Passed) Created property and income tax rebates."

As state representative, opposed House Bill 544, which requires State funding of abortion only when medically necessary, to save the mother’s life or in cases of rape or incest.

As state representative, opposed House Bill 356, which prevents discrimination by banks or government against firearms entities/manufacturers.

As state representative, opposed House Bill 604, which would have required federal agents to notify the local Sheriff prior to conducting raids in the County.

As state representative, opposed House Bill 196, which increases transparency and accountability for vote counting, poll watchers, etc.