Jonathan Karlen
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Campaign portrait
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| Member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 96th district | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Kathy Whitman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jonathan Karlen (1999-08-27) August 27, 1999 (age 24) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Missoula, Montana, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Montana (BS) University of Montana (MPA) |
| Occupation | Research Fellow, University of Montana |
| Website | Official website |
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Jonathan G. Karlen (/kɑːrlən/; born August 27, 1999) is an American politician. He currently serves as a member of the Montana House of Representatives for District 96, which encompasses Missoula, Frenchtown and Huson, for the Democratic Party since 2023.[1][2] Karlen is among the youngest state legislators in the United States.[3]
Karlen graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife biology with a minor in Climate Change Studies. He also completed a Master of Public Administration with a public policy focus from the University of Montana.[4]
Karlen has interned for various government agencies including the Arizona Game and Fish DepartmentinSeligman, Arizona and the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. In 2020, Karlen was a Legislative Affairs Intern at the U.S. Forest Service, Office of the Chief in Washington, D.C. Karlen is an alumnus of the Max Baucus Leaders Program serving as a Legislative Intern for the U.S. Senate majority leader. He is currently a board member of the Climate and Energy Board of Missoula, Montana and works as a Wildlife Research Fellow of the Boone and Crockett Club based at the University of Montana, and coaches youth ski racing.[5][non-primary source needed]
In January 2022, he announced that he will run for office.[6] He defeated Democrat Linda Swanson in the primary election (67%-33%).[citation needed]
In the 2022 Montana House of Representative election, he was elected into the house, defeating incumbent Kathy Whitman (R). He assumed office on January 2, 2023, with his current term ending January 6, 2025. He is a member of the Natural Resources, Business and Labor, Legislative Administration, and Fish, Wildlife and Parks committees.[7]
