Jade Bahr (born December 28, 1988) is a Democratic Party politician and was a member Montana House of Representatives from District 50 who has served between 2019 and 2021.[1][2][3][4]

Jade Bahr
Member of the Montana House of Representatives
from the 50th district
In office
January 7, 2019 – January 4, 2021
Preceded byVirginia Court
Succeeded byMallerie Stromswold
Personal details
Born (1988-12-28) December 28, 1988 (age 36)
Crow Agency, Montana
Political partyDemocratic Party
Other political
affiliations
Democratic Socialists of America
Alma materUniversity of Montana

Early life and education

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Bahr was born in Crow Agency, Montana, and was raised in Billings, Montana. She graduated from Billings Senior High School,[citation needed] and spent her summers living on the Crow Indian Reservation with her grandparents.[5][6] After high school, Bahr earned a bachelor's degree in sociology with an emphasis in inequalities and social justice from the University of Montana at Missoula.[1][7]

She is an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe.[6]

Career

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She began her interest in social services after working as a receptionist at a foster-care network for Native American youth. She continued to work for programs targeted toward at-risk youth at organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, New Day Youth Group home and Day Treatment, and also Missoula Parks and Recreation summer camps & after-school programs.[6]

She also worked as a mental health support worker for the Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center. She has worked with adults with disabilities in supported living and supported employment services as a vocational specialist and community coordinator.[8]

Political career

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Bahr's committee assignments for the 2019-20 legislative session included: Human Services, Legislative Administration, and State Administration.[9]

Electoral history

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In the 2018 general election, Bahr was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, AFL–CIO, the Montana Conservation Voters, Carol's List and others.[6]

Bahr lost her bid for re-election to Mallerie Stromswold in the 2020 general election.[10]

Montana House of Representatives District 50 General Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jade Bahr 1,778 53.8
Republican Quentin Eggart 1,437 40.8
Libertarian Nathan McKenty 190 5.4
Montana House of Representatives District 50 Democratic Primary Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jade Bahr 622 68.2
Democratic Joshua Bradshaw 290 31.8
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Bahr sponsored five bills during the 2019 legislative session and three of which were signed into law:[11]

  • HB 466: Fund a Native American language and culture online course through the MT Digital Academy.
  • HB 468: To require state agencies to coordinate for disability integrated employment programs.
  • HB 498: Allow probationers and parolees to use medical marijuana.[12]
  • HB 632: To require economic impact reports for reservations.[3]
  • HB 748: Establish the Minnie Spotted-Wolf memorial highway.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  2. ^ "Jade Bahr - Legislator Details". Montana State Legislature. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "It's Time to Fight Back! Defend Jade Bahr from Attacks!". The Montana Post. 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2020-04-16.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Jade Bahr". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Western Native Voice Community Spotlight: Jade Bahr & Barbara Bessette | WORC". www.worc.org. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  6. ^ a b c d "Jade Bahr: Progressive Montana Indigenous Woman's Voice Running For Office". The Real News Network. November 2018. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  7. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  8. ^ "Jade Bahr, HD 50, Democrat". The Billings Gazette. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  9. ^ "Jade Bahr". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  10. ^ "Jade Bahr". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  11. ^ "Jade Bahr | Tracking the 2019 Legislature". apps.montanafreepress.org. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
  12. ^ AMY BETH HANSON (March 2019). "Montana House passes measure on medical pot for probationers". Montana Standard. Associated Press. Retrieved 2020-04-16.