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Derek Skees

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Derek Skees
Member of the Montana House of Representatives
In office
January 2, 2017 – January 2023
Preceded byAlbert Olszewski
Succeeded byTanner Smith
Constituency11th District
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 7, 2013
Preceded byMike Jopek
Succeeded byEd Lieser
Constituency4th District
Personal details
Born1968 (age 55–56)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRonalee Skees
Children3
ResidenceKalispell, Montana
Alma materUniversity of Central Florida
OccupationConstruction consultant

Derek Skees (born 1968) is an American politician serving as a Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 11th district.[1][2] Skees chairs the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee.[3]

Career

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In November 2011, Skees won the election and became a Republican member of Montana House of Representatives for District 4.[3]

In 2013, Skees ran for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor in 2012, but lost to incumbent Monica Lindeen.[4]

In 2014, Skees ran for Montana's 5th Public Service Commissioner seat, but only secured 34% of the vote in the primary.[5]

Since 2016, Skees has been a member of Montana House of Representatives for District 11.[3]

In April 2021, Skees announced that he will seek election to Montana's Public Service Commission, the agency responsible for regulating Montana utilities. He previously sought election to the commission in 2014, though was defeated in the Republican primary election.[3]

In 2021, Skees was the master of ceremonies for the Red Pill Festival held in St. Regis, Montana, which sought to promote anti-government conspiracy theories.[6]

In 2021 Skees, unhappy with a preliminary injunction that blocked three anti-abortion bills, said “we need to throw out Montana’s socialist rag of a constitution.”[7]

Personal life

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Skees is married to Ronalee Skees; they reside in Kalispell, Montana.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Copper Book: Lawmakers of Montana, Legislative Session of 2021". Montana State Legislature. Montana Legislative Services Division. p. 58. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "- Montana State Legislature".
  3. ^ a b c d "Rep. Skees announces 2nd run for Public Service Commission". 29 April 2021.
  4. ^ Banks, Marnee (14 September 2011). "Whitefish's Derek Skees joins State Auditor race". KXLH. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  5. ^ "Brad Johnson (Montana)".
  6. ^ "'Hard pill to swallow': Red Pill Festival prescribes Christian conservatism and conspiracies". 26 July 2021.
  7. ^ Dietrich, Eric (19 November 2021). "Prominent Republican says Montana should 'throw out' state Constitution". www.montanafreepress.org. Montana Free Press. Retrieved 30 November 2021.