AUGER, DERREN

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
State House of Representatives
District:
19
Political Affiliation:
Republican

Survey

Response Legend

  • SSStrongly Supports
  • SSupports
  • OOpposes
  • SOStrongly Opposes
  • *Comment
  • −Declined to respond
  • †Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Public School Funding in Montana is at an inadequate level. O
2. Parents should have greater freedom to choose how and where their children are educated, including options such as education savings accounts, tax credits, vouchers, or other school-choice mechanisms. SS* I believe education works best when decisions are made closest to the student—by parents, not bureaucracies. Our priority should be empowering families with real choices, whether that’s public schools, private schools, or homeschooling, while ensuring transparency and accountability in how schools operate. Montana families deserve an education system that focuses on strong academic outcomes—reading, writing, math, and critical thinking—without political or ideological agendas in the classroom. Parents should have full visibility into curriculum and the ability to guide what is appropriate for their children, especially on sensitive topics. We must also respect taxpayers by ensuring education dollars are spent efficiently and effectively. Instead of simply increasing funding, we should prioritize innovation, local control, and policies that put students first. At the end of the day, strengthening parental rights strengthens our schools, our communities, and the future of Montana.
3. Parents should be allowed to homeschool their children without additional state regulation SS
4. Curricula based on Critical Race Theory (CRT) should be prohibited in Montana public schools SS
5. Comprehensive sex education should be taught in public elementary schools, beginning as early as kindergarten. SO
6. Montana’s income taxes are too high. SS
7. Montana’s property taxes are too high SS
8. Montana’s corporate taxes are too high S* Montana should prioritize a fiscally conservative approach that focuses on lowering the overall tax burden while maintaining essential services. Tax relief—especially on income and property taxes—puts money back into local economies, supports small businesses, and helps families make ends meet.We must also ensure government lives within its means. That means cutting unnecessary spending, increasing transparency, and holding agencies accountable for results. Economic growth—not higher taxes—is the most sustainable way to generate revenue.By promoting a pro-growth, low-tax environment, we can keep Montana affordable, attract new opportunities, and preserve the way of life that makes our state strong.
9. The Second Amendment protects the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms for self-defense. SS* Protecting constitutional rights must remain a top priority. The freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution—including the Second Amendment and the right to personal privacy—are not optional and should not be subject to shifting political pressures.Government’s role is to safeguard individual liberty, not restrict it. That means ensuring law-abiding citizens can exercise their rights without unnecessary interference, while also upholding equal treatment under the law.In Montana, we value independence, personal responsibility, and limited government. Policies should reflect those principles by defending individual freedoms, promoting personal choice, and ensuring that government overreach does not erode the rights of our citizens.
10. Montanans should not be discriminated against or treated differently based on their vaccination status. SS
11. Climate change is a serious problem that requires increased government regulation. O
12. Environmental regulations in Montana are currently too restrictive. S* Montana's natural resources are one of our greatest strengths, and we have a responsibility to manage them wisely. That means promoting conservation and stewardship without imposing excessive regulations that stifle economic opportunity.An all-of-the-above energy strategy is critical—supporting traditional energy industries like oil, gas, and coal alongside emerging technologies. Energy independence strengthens both our economy and national security.Decisions about Montana’s land and resources are best made locally, not by federal mandates. By focusing on innovation, local control, and practical solutions, we can protect our environment while keeping energy affordable and communities strong.
13. Abortion should be illegal at all stages of pregnancy. SS* I believe life begins at conception, and that belief should guide public policy. Every human life is inherently valuable and deserving of protection, including the unborn. Laws should reflect a commitment to defending life at all stages, while allowing for very limited exceptions in cases where the life of the mother is at serious risk. At the same time, we must support mothers and families by expanding access to prenatal care, adoption services, and community-based resources that provide real alternatives to abortion. Protecting life also means creating a culture that values and supports both mother and child.
14. Abortion should be legal only in the early stages of pregnancy and restricted after a specific point, except when necessary to save the life of the mother. O
15. Abortion should remain legal at all stages of pregnancy, without restriction. SO
16. Individuals and organizations should be allowed to opt out of abortion-related mandates, if those mandates violate their religious or moral convictions. SS* Religious liberty and conscience protections are equally important. No individual or healthcare provider should be compelled to participate in practices that violate their moral or religious beliefs.
17. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal in Montana. SO* In all areas of medical ethics, we should uphold the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, rejecting policies like physician-assisted suicide that undermine that principle.
18. Biological males who identify as transgender should be allowed to compete in women’s and girl's athletic competitions. SO* I believe strong families are the foundation of healthy communities, and public policy should support stability, responsibility, and the well-being of children. Parents play the central role in raising their children, and government should not override that authority—especially on complex issues related to gender and identity. Protecting fairness in women’s and girls’ athletics is important to ensure equal opportunities that have been built over decades. At the same time, minors should not be subjected to irreversible medical procedures before they are mature enough to fully understand the long-term consequences. While I support equal treatment under the law and respect for all individuals, I also believe policies must be carefully crafted to protect religious liberty, parental rights, and privacy. Montana should take a balanced, common-sense approach that upholds individual dignity without expanding government mandates in ways that create unintended consequences.
19. Medical procedures intended to change a minor’s sex or gender should be prohibited. SS
20. Same-sex couples should be permitted to adopt children. S
21. State and local nondiscrimination laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the same manner as race, religion, and national origin. O
22. Montana’s marriage laws should be revised to reflect the U.S. Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage. S
23. Objective moral truths exist and should inform laws and public policy, rather than shifting cultural preferences. SS
24. Government should be limited in scope, with most decisions best made by individuals, families, and local communities rather than centralized authorities. SS
25. Homosexuals and transgender people should be allowed to adopt children: S
26. Personal responsibility and self-governance are more effective at solving social problems than expanded government programs: SS
27. Parents—not government institutions—are the primary authority responsible for the education and moral formation of their children: SS* I believe our laws and public policies should be grounded in enduring principles—truth, personal responsibility, and respect for individual liberty—not shifting cultural trends. A limited government that trusts its citizens is essential to preserving freedom and fostering strong communities.The most effective solutions to social challenges come from individuals, families, and local communities, not top-down mandates. When people are empowered to take responsibility for their lives and decisions, we see stronger outcomes and more resilient communities.Parents play the central role in raising and guiding their children, and that authority should be respected in both education and moral development. Government should support—not replace—the family.Ultimately, a society rooted in strong values, personal accountability, and limited government creates the best environment for opportunity, stability, and long-term success.