Tyson Running Wolf
Tyson Running Wolf | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 16th district | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Susan Webber |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Browning, Montana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lona |
| Children | 7 |
| Education | University of Montana (BS) |
Tyson T. Running Wolf is a Native American politician serving as a member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 16th district. His district is located in Glacier County and includes North Browning, East Glacier, and Cut Bank.[1] Running Wolf is a Minority Whip in the 2025 legislative session.[2]
Running Wolf first ran for the Montana House of Representatives in 2018. He defeated K. Webb Galbreath with 61% of the vote.[3] In 2020 and 2022, he was unopposed.[4][5] He faced challenger Elaine Utterback Mitchell during the 2024 election. Running Wolf received 59% of the vote.[6]
Running Wolf was assigned to the same three committees in 2019, 2021, and 2023:[7]
- Education
- Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
- State Administration
In 2025 he was again assigned to Fish, Wildlife and Parks and State Administration. He was also on the House Rules committee.[1]
One important issue for Running Wolf is protecting the Badger-Two Medicine, an area of the Lewis and Clark National Forest sacred to the Blackfeet Nation.[8]
In 2025, he successfully brought a bill to create a special revenue account for the Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force.[9] Montana's rate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women is one of the worst in the country.[10]
Personal life
[edit]At age 21, Running Wolf became a professional outdoor guide.[8] He worked for Smoke Elser, owner of Wilderness Outfitters, and later created his own guide business. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in forest research management from the University of Montana in 2001. Running Wolf and his wife are co-founders of Blackfeet Eco Knowledge, where he serves as CEO.[11]
Running Wolf is a member of the Blackfeet Nation.[8]
Electoral record
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tyson Running Wolf | 2,039 | 61.4% | |
| Republican | K. Webb Galbreath | 1,280 | 38.6% | |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Rep. Tyson Running Wolf". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Representative Tyson Running Wolf". Montana Legislature. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "2018 General Election". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "2020 General Election". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "2022 General Election". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "2024 General Election". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Rep. Tyson Runningwolf". Montana State Legislature. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ a b c Mabie, Nora (21 November 2019). "'The trip never quits': Rep. Tyson RunningWolf stands for Indigenous people". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ^ Mabie, Nora (February 28, 2025). "Bill bolstering Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force becomes law". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ Horton, Adrian (February 3, 2023). "'The families deserve answers': inside the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Our Team". Blackfeet Eco Knowledge. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
External links
[edit]- Running Wolf on Ballotpedia
- Running Wolf on VoteSmart
- Time Magazine article by Running Wolf and wife Lona