Paul Sliter
{{Short description|American politician and businessman (1969–2001)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Paul Sliter
| birth_place = Kalispell, Montana, U.S.
| birth_date = May 5, 1969
| state_house = Montana
| district = 76th
| term_start = 1994
| term_end = 2001
| successor = Bernie Olson
| death_date = August 15, 2001 (aged 32)
| death_place = Marysville, Montana, U.S.
| party = Republican
| education = University of Montana (BA)
| spouse = Elaine Sliter
| children = 1
}}
Paul Sliter (May 5, 1969 – August 15, 2001) was an American politician and businessman who served as a member of the Montana House of Representatives for the 76th district from 1994 until 2001.{{Cite book |last=Capace |first=Nancy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c7FXL6R5MM0C&dq=Paul+Sliter+district&pg=PA183 |title=Encyclopedia of Montana |date=2000-01-01 |publisher=Somerset Publishers, Inc. |isbn=978-0-403-09604-6 |language=en}}
Early life and education
Sliter was born in Kalispell, Montana, and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1987. He received his bachelor's degree in political science from University of Montana in 1996. As a college student, Sliter served as an intern in the office of Senator Conrad Burns.{{Cite web |date=2017-10-08 |title=A Flathead Founding Family |url=https://flatheadbeacon.com/2017/10/08/flathead-founding-family/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=Flathead Beacon |language=en}}
Career
Sliter worked as the sales and credit manager at the Sliter's Ace Lumber and Building Supply in Bigfork, Montana.{{Cite web |title=GOP 'rising star' dies in Montana car crash |url=https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/2001/08/17/gop-rising-star-dies-in/51299140007/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=Portsmouth Herald |language=en-US}} Sliter served in the Montana House of Representatives from 1994 until his death in 2001. A Republican, he also served as House majority leader.{{Cite web |date=2002-01-05 |title=Governor Comes Clean on Laundry |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jan-05-mn-20470-story.html |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Montana Governor's Aide Resigns |url=https://apnews.com/article/85ffc42ccd6ff559aa1ae32b46d66a36 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}
Death
On August 15, 2001 Silter was involved in a car accident with Shane Hedges when the latter lost control of his vehicle on a dirt road outside of Helena, Montana.{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Kathleen |date=17 August 2001 |title=House GOP leader dies in SUV crash |url=https://missoulian.com/house-gop-leader-dies-in-suv-crash/article_b01749c1-ccf7-5c11-b92c-e6a1b2b346ca.html |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=Missoulian}} Silter died on the scene, whereas Hedges only suffered minor injuries and was released from hospital shortly afterwards.{{Cite news |date=17 August 2001 |title=National Briefing {{!}} Rockies: Montana: Lawmaker Dies In Crash |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/17/us/national-briefing-rockies-montana-lawmaker-dies-in-crash.html |access-date=26 March 2024 |work=The New York Times}} Hedges later pleaded guilty to the negligent homicide of Silter.{{Cite news |last=Anez |first=Bob |date=13 February 2002 |title=Suspected Cover Up in Mont Crash |url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Suspected-Cover-Up-in-Mont-Crash-7055862.php |access-date=26 March 2024 |work=Midland Daily News}}
Personal life
Sliter lived with his wife and family in Somers, Montana.{{Cite web |title=Paul Sliter's Biography |url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/6866/paul-sliter# |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=Vote Smart}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sliter, Paul}}
Category:Politicians from Kalispell, Montana
Category:University of Montana alumni
Category:Businesspeople from Montana
Category:Republican Party members of the Montana House of Representatives
Category:Road incident deaths in Montana
Category:20th-century American businesspeople
Category:20th-century members of the Montana Legislature
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