Bryce Bennett

Born in Billings, Montana, Bennett is a fifth-generation Montanan. When he was young, his family moved to Hysham, Montana. When he was eight, they moved to the Missoula Valley. He attended Lolo Elementary and Big Sky High School, before enrolling at the University of Montana.{{cite web|url=http://bennettforhouse.com/Documents/Bio%5B1%5D.pdf|title=Bennett for House: About Bryce Bennett|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707223711/http://bennettforhouse.com/Documents/Bio%5B1%5D.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-07}}{{Self-published source|date=February 2017}}

After graduating in 2007, Bennett went to work for the Democratic National Committee in western Montana. Following the 2008 election, he moved to Helena, Montana, and worked for the Montana House Democrats.{{Self-published source|date=February 2017}}

When Rep. Robin Hamilton announced that he would not be seeking re-election in 2010, Bennett declared his candidacy for the seat. In the 2010 Democratic primary election, Bennett won 85% of the vote, defeating his opponent by more than five-to-one.{{cite web|url=http://electionresults.sos.mt.gov/resultsSW.aspx?eid=1&type=HOUSE&map=DIST&lValue=100&gValue=076|title=Montana Secretary of State: 2010 primary election results|access-date=2011-02-13|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708072620/http://electionresults.sos.mt.gov/resultsSW.aspx?eid=1&type=HOUSE&map=DIST&lValue=100&gValue=076|archive-date=2012-07-08|url-status=dead}} In the general election held on November 2, Bennett won narrowly: he took 50.4% of the vote, while the Republican nominee won 46.9% and the Libertarian 2.7%.{{cite web|url=http://electionresults.sos.mt.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=HOUSE&map=DIST&lValue=100&gValue=067|title=Montana Secretary of State: 2010 general election results|access-date=2011-02-13|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708104248/http://electionresults.sos.mt.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=HOUSE&map=DIST&lValue=100&gValue=067|archive-date=2012-07-08|url-status=dead}} He took office in January 2011.

Bryce founded the Montana Privacy Caucus by bringing together Republicans and Democrats in the legislature to combat the overreach of government and corporations into people's personal lives. Together, the caucus passed a series of bills which protect Montanans' private data.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Bennett served as a Minority Caucus Chair in the 2013–2014 session, and as Minority Whip of the House during the 2015–2016 session.{{Cite web|url=http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/64th/leaders.asp|title=Montana Legislature: 64th Session|website=leg.mt.gov|access-date=2016-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830111154/http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/64th/leaders.asp|archive-date=2016-08-30|url-status=dead}}

The Montana Ambassadors named Bennett Legislator of the Year for his work to combat dark money.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

In the 2020 Montana elections, Bennett ran for Secretary of State of Montana. He was uncontested in the Democratic Primary. Christi Jacobsen defeated Bennett, 59.56% to 40.44%.{{Cite web|url=https://montanafreepress.org/2020/11/04/jacobsen-wins-race-for-secretary-of-state/|title = Jacobsen wins race for secretary of state|date = 4 November 2020}}

Bennett is openly gay.{{cite news|url=http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews38_18/mobile/page3.cfm|work=Seattle Gay News|date=April 30, 2010|title=Openly Gay Bryce Bennett runs for Montana office|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927003430/http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews38_18/mobile/page3.cfm|archive-date=September 27, 2011}} He is the first openly gay man to serve in the Montana legislature.{{cite web |url=http://www.glli.org/out_officials |title=Openly LGBT Appointed and Elected Officials |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708163309/http://www.glli.org/out_officials |archive-date=2007-07-08 }} His 2010 campaign won the support of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

The Advocate named Bennett one of their "40 under 40". He was also named to "Out magazine's "Power List", which included "exemplary individuals [who] manage to influence the way others live — either through their public personas, politics, or wealth — and affect cultural and social attitudes."{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/62nd/leg_info.asp?HouseID=1&SessionID=105&LAWSID=6860 Legislative homepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305024546/http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/62nd/leg_info.asp?HouseID=1&SessionID=105&LAWSID=6860 |date=2016-03-05 }}

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Category:1984 births

Category:American gay politicians

Category:LGBTQ state legislators in Montana

Category:Living people

Category:Democratic Party members of the Montana House of Representatives

Category:Democratic Party Montana state senators

Category:People from Hysham, Montana

Category:Politicians from Billings, Montana

Category:Politicians from Missoula, Montana

Category:University of Montana alumni

Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people

Category:21st-century members of the Montana Legislature