Mark Montoya

State Representative Legislative District 16 Seat A

Biography and Background

I grew up enjoying the wide-open spaces of New Mexico’s great outdoors. After graduating from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Engineering, Idaho seemed an ideal place to pursue a fantastic career in a wonderful location…and that has proven very true! 42 years later I’m still here and still enjoying Idaho!

I came to Idaho to join an R&D Lab team developing new products at Hewlett-Packard. Some of my additional roles at HP were in Reliability Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Program Management. Along the way, attaining an MBA Degree at Boise State University enabled me to make broader contributions to the company’s overall business. And throughout my career I’ve had the fulfilling experience of working with colleagues and customers in countries all around the world. This experience has taught me to listen, to learn, to develop a plan–and to move forward with action!

Working in an international, high-tech company—while enjoying the outdoor-paradise home base of Idaho—has been a great privilege. And now it’s time to give back to my neighbors and my state. I believe I have the depth and breadth to represent our District 16 community as an Idaho State Representative. Your input, your support, and your vote will keep us moving forward!

Top 3 Issues

Issue 1

Free People The US Bill of Rights enshrined in the US Constitution gives us precious rights. The Republican Party was founded in 1854 as an anti-slavery party. We have been–and continue to be–a driving force for equality. Free speech, freedom of religion, the right to keep and bear arms…these are a few of the key jewels in this document. Well-educated voters are the key to maintaining our free society. For that reason, I believe that solid education is a very important public good. We must invest wisely in education. We must also encourage the involvement of parents and guardians in our education system.

Issue 2

Free Markets Free people and free markets go hand in hand. Experiments in socialism have already been done. We have the data. Compare the history of East and West Germany, or that of North and South Korea. Of course, government has a role in regulation, but that regulation should be the minimum required to give necessary protection to Idahoans and the environment.

Issue 3

Fiscal Responsibility Many necessary and legitimate public goods are funded by Idaho’s government. But we must remember–the proper function of government is to do for the people those necessary things that cannot be done as well by private individuals. Every tax dollar taken from an Idaho household is a dollar that a household cannot use for food, shelter, or other needs. Idaho legislators have a duty to invest taxpayer dollars wisely, on necessary items.

Integrity in Affiliation

Submission: Yes

“I have read the Idaho Constitution and the Idaho Republican Party Platform. I support the Idaho Republican Platform and accept it as the standard by which my performance as a candidate and as an officeholder should be evaluated. I certify that I am not a candidate, officer, delegate or position holder in any party other than the Republican Party.”