Matt Regier
56th Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 2, 2023
Preceded byWylie Galt
Member of the Montana House of Representatives
from the 4th district
Assumed office
January 2, 2017
Preceded byKeith Regier
Personal details
BornKalispell, Montana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
RelativesKeith Regier (father)
Amy Regier (sister)
EducationUniversity of Montana (BS)

Matt Regier is an American businessman and politician who serves as the Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives. He has represented the 4th district in the Montana House of Representatives as a Republican since 2017.

Early life and education

Regier was born in Kalispell, Montana. Regier's father is Keith Regier, a member of the Montana Legislature. Regier's mother is Jolene Regier.[1][2] In 2005, Regier earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from University of Montana.[1]

Career

As a businessman, Regier is the owner of Stillwater Sod Corporation.[1] Regier is also a real estate investor.[3]

On November 8, 2016, Regier won the election and became a Republican member of Montana House of Representatives for District 4. Regier defeated Deborah Gentry with 77.17% of the vote.[4] On November 6, 2018, as an incumbent, Regier won the election and continued serving District 4. Regier defeated Kwen Shirley with 75.80% of the vote.[5][6][1] In 2023 he was elected Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives. The 2023 Legislative Session was marked by the fact that Republicans occupied a supermajority in both houses. [7]

On April 18, 2023, Democratic representative Zooey Zephyr, the only transgender member in the House, criticized supporters of Senate Bill 99, saying, "I hope the next time there’s an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.” Senate Bill 99 prohibits gender-affirming medical care for trans minors.[8] Regier, as House Speaker, refused to let her speak on any subsequent bills even though she had not been censured, saying that it was "up to [him] to maintain decorum here on the House floor" and "to protect the dignity and integrity".[8] He said he would not allow her to speak until she apologized; she rejected the offer.[8] On April 26, Zephyr was barred from the House floor for the remainder of the 2023 session.[9] Four days later, Zephyr filed a lawsuit against Regier and the state of Montana with legal support from the Montana ACLU.[10]

Personal life

Regier and his family lived in Kalispell, Montana.[1] Regier resides in Columbia Falls, Montana.[6][11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Matt Regier's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Is a Regier legislative dynasty developing in the Flathead?". flatheadmemo.com. October 8, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  3. ↑ "2018 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit - Rep. Matt Regier Montana State Legislature". sched.com. 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  4. ↑ "MT State House 004". ourcampaigns.com. November 8, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  5. ↑ "MT State House 004". ourcampaigns.com. November 6, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "REP. MATT REGIER (R) - HD4". leg.mt.gov. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  7. ↑ Marino, Michael (December 9, 2022). "GOP Hints at 38 Constitutional Amendment Proposals in 2023". Yellowstone County News.
  8. 1 2 3 Kimbel-Sannit, Arren (April 20, 2023). "House Speaker Matt Regier refuses to recognize Rep. Zooey Zephyr on floor until she apologizes". Montana Free Press. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Montana transgender lawmaker barred by GOP from House floor". Politico. April 26, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr sues over her removal from House floor". NPR. May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Rep. Matt Regier (R-Columbia Falls), HD 4". meic.org. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
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