Caleb Hinkle

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Caleb Hinkle

| image = Caleb Hinkle by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| caption = Hinkle in 2022

| state_house = Montana

| district = 68th

| term_start = January 4, 2021

| term_end =

| predecessor = Bruce Grubbs

| successor =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|7|14}} https://www.facebook.com/100057728993647/posts/616432850291009 {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=February 2023}}

| birth_place = Butte, Montana

| residence = Belgrade, Montana

| relatives = Jedediah Hinkle (brother)

| allegiance = {{flag|United States}}

| branch = {{flag|United States Army}}

| unit = Montana Army National Guard

| rank = 20px Sergeant

}}

Caleb Hinkle is an American politician serving as a member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 68th district. Elected in November 2020, he assumed office on January 4, 2021.{{cite web |title=Copper Book: Lawmakers of Montana, Legislative Session of 2021 |url=https://leg.mt.gov/session/copper-book/ |website=Montana State Legislature |publisher=Montana Legislative Services Division |access-date=June 8, 2021|page=44}}

Career

Hinkle served in the Montana National Guard and is a former Sergeant. Hinkle later worked as the Western Montana field representative for Governor Greg Gianforte.{{Cite web|title=2020 Republican Candidates|url=https://www.gallatinrepublicans.com/2020-republican-candidates|access-date=2021-04-27|website=Gallatin County Republicans|language=en-US}}

Montana House of Representatives

Hinkle was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in November 2020 and assumed office on January 4, 2021.{{Cite web |title=Caleb Hinkle |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Caleb_Hinkle |access-date=2021-04-27 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Caleb Hinkle for House District 68 |url=https://www.gallatincountyrepublicanwomen.com/blog/caleb-hinkle-for-house-district-68 |access-date=2021-04-27 |website=Gallatin County Republican Women |language=en-US}}

=Muzzleloader Hunting Season=

In 2021 Hinkle introduced House Bill 242, which established the muzzleloader hunting season, whereby only traditional flintlock, matchlock, and similar classic firearms with iron sights are used for hunting. Following the measure's passage, Montana was the last state to implement a designated muzzleloader season. Hinkle's inspiration for this legislation was derived from historical and movie depictions of muzzleloaders during the American Civil War and fur trappers predating the 20th century.{{cite web |date=4 December 2021 |title=Montana hunters prep for first traditional muzzleloader season |url=https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/outdoors/montana-hunters-prep-for-first-traditional-muzzleloader-season/article_784db831-8a14-5316-a7dc-741ddd7a6a81.html |access-date=February 1, 2023}}

=Drag shows=

In 2025, Hinkle proposed Bill 675 which would allow people to sue drag queens up to three years after their performance. It was criticized by the Missoula City Government for violating freedom of speech protections under the First Amendment. The bill did not pass, with Republicans joining Democrats voting against it.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-10 |title=Bill to allow lawsuits over drag performances fails in Montana Legislature |url=https://www.kpax.com/news/montana-legistlature/bill-to-allow-lawsuits-over-drag-performances-fails-in-montana-legislature |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=KPAX News |language=en}}

Personal life

Hinkle is the brother of Montana State Representative Jedediah Hinkle.{{cite web |last1=Davidson |first1=Marian |title=You asked: Family connections between Montana lawmakers |url=https://www.ktvh.com/news/montana-politics/you-asked-family-connections-between-montana-lawmakers#google_vignette |website=KTVH |publisher=E. W. Scripps Company |access-date=13 June 2025}}

Electoral history

=2020 election=

{{Election box begin no change

| title =Montana’s 68th District House of Representatives election, 2020{{cite web |title=Caleb Hinkle|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Caleb_Hinkle |website=Ballotpedia |accessdate=February 1, 2023}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Caleb Hinkle

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 4,293

| percentage = 66.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Emily Brosten

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 2,148

| percentage = 33.3

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,979

| percentage= 100

}}

=2022 general election=

{{Election box begin no change

| title =Montana’s 68th District House of Representatives election, 2022{{cite web |title=Braxton Mitchell |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Caleb_Hinkle |website=Ballotpedia |accessdate=February 1, 2023}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Caleb Hinkle

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 2,772

| percentage = 65.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joe Hancock

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,440

| percentage = 34.2

}}