Meet Richard Aungier
I was born in a military family, my father being a WWII and Korean War veteran. I grew up on several military bases, including one in Japan, where all my friends and neighbors were Japanese. I learned to appreciate foreign culture and ways of life at an early age.
I graduated from Portland State University with a BS degree in Social Sciences. Interested in travelling, I made my way to Alaska where I worked on the Alaska Oil Pipeline Project as an air traffic advisor and weather observer. With my connection to far eastern culture early in life, I decided to return to Japan where I taught English for four years. From there, I then moved to South Korea to continue to teach English and other academic skills for another year.
Back in the US, I worked as an owner operator of a small trucking business, travelling across the lower forty-eight states and Canada. I received my commercial airplane pilot's license during this time as well. Later on, I also had the opportunity to work as a tour guide and driver in Fairbanks, AK for the Princess Cruise Lines.
I have been a resident of the Bozeman community for the past twelve years and have worked with several of the long-standing businesses here, including First Student Transportation and Montana Whitewater Rafting.
Where I Stand
See how my positions compare to my Democratic opponent on the issues that matter most to Gallatin County families.
Taxes & Fiscal Responsibility
We need to foster an environment where small businesses can thrive without the burden of excessive government red tape.
Cut wasteful spending and reduce the tax burden on Montana families and small businesses. I'll fight against new taxes and work to make our state more affordable for everyone.
Supports higher taxes on businesses and property owners to fund expanded government programs, making it harder for families to get ahead.
Cost of Living
Montana is growing rapidly, but we must protect the character of our communities while ensuring housing remains affordable.
Address the housing crisis through smart zoning reforms and reduced regulations that drive up costs. Support policies that help working families afford to live in Gallatin County.
Backs regulations and fees that increase housing costs, while pushing policies that benefit developers over local families trying to buy their first home.
Education
Parents should have a primary role in their children's education, and our schools should focus on academic excellence.
Empower parents with school choice and transparency. Fund teachers, not bureaucracy. Keep politics out of classrooms and focus on academic excellence and preparing students for success.
Prioritizes union demands over student outcomes. Opposes parental rights in education and supports curriculum changes that many Montana families find concerning.
Public Safety
Safe communities are the bedrock of a free society. Our law enforcement officers need our support, not defunding.
Back our law enforcement with the resources they need. Oppose soft-on-crime policies. Keep our communities safe by supporting police, prosecutors, and common-sense justice reform.
Supports policies that reduce penalties for criminals and limit law enforcement tools, making our neighborhoods less safe for families and small businesses.
Responsible Growth
We must balance growth with preserving Montana’s quality of life and protecting our natural resources for future generations.
Balance growth with preserving Montana's quality of life. Protect our natural resources, support local businesses, and ensure development benefits current residents, not just outside interests.
Pushes rapid development without adequate infrastructure planning, leading to traffic congestion, strained services, and loss of the Montana character we cherish.
Senate District 31
About Montana Senate District 31
Senate District 31 is located in Gallatin County and includes the city of Bozeman, one of the fastest-growing communities in Montana. The district encompasses a diverse mix of urban neighborhoods, suburban areas, and rural landscapes.
Home to Montana State University and a thriving local economy, District 31 represents a dynamic community focused on education, economic opportunity, housing affordability, and preserving the quality of life that makes Bozeman special.
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