LOONEY SR, JOHN J

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
State House of Representatives
District:
81
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* Education is not a one-size-fits-all system. Parents are the primary stakeholders in a child’s education, not government bureaucracies. I strongly support expanding educational freedom through school choice, education savings accounts, homeschooling protections, and policies that empower families to choose the path that aligns with their values and their children’s needs. Montana’s education system must focus on academic excellence — reading, writing, mathematics, science, and civics — rather than ideological agendas. We must ensure transparency, accountability, and respect for parental authority. Strong families build strong communities, and strong communities build a strong 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 SS* Montana families are feeling the pressure of rising property taxes, inflation, and regulatory burdens. I believe Montanans should keep more of their hard-earned money, and our tax structure should be simpler, fairer, and focused on economic growth.Property tax relief must be a priority, especially for seniors and working families who are being priced out of their homes. At the same time, we must ensure Montana remains competitive for small businesses and entrepreneurs who drive job creation in our state.Responsible tax reform should go hand-in-hand with disciplined spending and government accountability. We don’t have a revenue problem — we have a prioritization problem.
9. The Second Amendment protects the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms for self-defense. SS* The Constitution is not a suggestion — it is the foundation of our republic. The Second Amendment affirms the inherent right of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves, their families, and their property. I will always defend that right. Individual liberty must also extend to medical decision-making. No Montanan should face discrimination, coercion, or loss of employment based on personal healthcare choices. Our rights do not come from government — they are protected from government. My role as a legislator is to safeguard those liberties, not erode them.
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. SO
12. Environmental regulations in Montana are currently too restrictive. S* Montana is blessed with abundant natural resources, and we have a responsibility to steward them wisely. However, overregulation and federal overreach have hindered energy development, job creation, and affordability for Montana families.We can protect our land and water while also promoting responsible energy production — including coal, oil, natural gas, and emerging technologies. Energy independence strengthens our economy, lowers costs for families, and reduces reliance on foreign adversaries.The answer is not more government control, but balanced, common-sense policy that allows innovation, local decision-making, and responsible stewardship.
13. Abortion should be illegal at all stages of pregnancy. SS* I am pro-life because I believe every human life has inherent dignity and value. While I recognize that rare and tragic medical emergencies may require difficult decisions to save a mother’s life, our laws should reflect a culture that protects life whenever possible.Being pro-life also means supporting mothers, families, adoption services, and community resources so that women are not left without support.I also strongly support protecting the right of conscience. No individual, employer, or medical professional should be compelled to participate in procedures that violate their deeply held moral or religious convictions.Montana must remain a state that values life, liberty, and human dignity at every stage.
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
17. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal in Montana. SS
18. Biological males who identify as transgender should be allowed to compete in women’s and girl's athletic competitions. SO
19. Medical procedures intended to change a minor’s sex or gender should be prohibited. SS* I believe public policy should prioritize protecting children, safeguarding women’s sports, and supporting the foundational role of the family. Medical procedures that permanently alter a minor’s body should not be permitted. Children deserve time, care, and counseling — not irreversible interventions. I also believe that public policy should respect religious liberty and parental rights while treating all individuals with dignity and respect. Disagreement on policy does not diminish the inherent worth of any person. My focus as a legislator is ensuring laws protect children, preserve fairness, and uphold constitutional freedoms.
20. Same-sex couples should be permitted to adopt children. SO
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. O
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: O
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 strong families, personal responsibility, and local decision-making form the foundation of a healthy society. While laws must respect the dignity of every individual, public policy should reflect enduring principles that have historically strengthened communities and protected children.Parents are the primary authority in the upbringing and moral formation of their children, and government should remain limited in scope.My goal as a legislator is not to control personal lives, but to ensure laws protect children, preserve liberty, and respect constitutional boundaries.