Ahead of Montana’s June 2 primary election, the Daily Inter Lake sent questionnaires to state Legislature candidates running in contested races in Northwest Montana.
Following are responses from House District 4 Republican candidates Lyn Bennett and Shaun Pandina
Name: Lyn Bennett
Age: Not provided
City/Town of Residence: Whitefish
Current Occupation: Representative for Montana House District 4, serving on the State Tribal Relations Committee
Professional & Community Background: I have a 20-year career as a registered nurse. During the 2025 legislative session, I served on the Health and Human Services and State Administration and Veterans Affairs committees. I am currently serving on the State Tribal Relations Committee. I am a military wife and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. My community leadership includes serving as the past president of the Glacier Country Pachyderm, and I am currently on the National Conference of State Legislatures Health Standing Committee and Children, Families, and Human Services Standing Committee.
What is the best approach to balance state budget needs with concerns about increasing tax rates?
As one-time pandemic funds expire, we must narrow the gap between ongoing revenues and expenditures to protect our state’s fiscal health. I am committed to holding the line on spending by keeping budget growth below the combined rate of inflation plus population growth. This discipline ensures the 2027 budget maintains a long-term structural balance while preparing for the fiscal year 2029 outlook.
We must continue cutting bureaucracy and advancing “red tape” initiatives to hold government accountable, finding ways to save costs without sacrificing essential services. My focus remains on ensuring that today’s spending never becomes tomorrow’s tax hike. By prioritizing efficiency over expansion, we protect the historic tax relief we’ve already delivered and keep Montana affordable for the families and small businesses of the Flathead.
What is your vision for how the state should manage public lands, wildlife and natural resources?
In Montana, our public lands are a treasured heritage. Following the “Public Lands in Public Hands” approach, I firmly oppose the sale or transfer of federal lands to private entities.
Active management is essential; healthy forests prevent catastrophic wildfires and protect our water quality. Management must be data-driven and state-led, not dictated by distant D.C. bureaucrats. By prioritizing forest health and public access, we ensure the Last Best Place remains open and productive for the families, sportsmen, and workers who call the Flathead home.
Public land is an irreplaceable asset for the hunters and outdoor enthusiasts who rely on it for access and intact habitat. My vision is to protect this heritage through responsible stewardship, ensuring our public lands stay open, productive and in public hands.
Why are you the best Republican candidate to represent your district?
I am the only candidate with a proven record of delivering results for House District 4. An effective legislator must seek wisdom and understanding in every decision; that is my daily goal.
I worked at the Clerk of Courts office and earned a degree in nursing. I have the grit and tenacity to stand for what is right. I work for my community, not for party bosses, scorecards or the threat of attack mailers. My platform prioritizes lower taxes and affordability for Montanans, mental health advocacy, excellence in education, supporting law enforcement and safe streets, parental rights and decreasing government spending through cutting government waste and bureaucracy. I plan to support legislation that supports veterans’ issues.
I will always strive to vote in the best interest of the community, remaining unbought and unbossed. I’ve done the work, and I’m ready to keep fighting for you.
Name: Shaun Pandina
Age: 47
City/Town of Residence: Flathead County
Current Occupation: Self‐employed businessman and entrepreneur
Professional & Community Background: My first job was right here in House District 4 at McDonald’s in Whitefish. I grew up in this community, which I love deeply, and I’ve lived in Montana’s Flathead Valley for more than 30 years. As a dedicated community advocate and father of four, I remain firmly rooted here. As a small business owner and entrepreneur, I have years of hands-on experience launching and running successful local small businesses. I navigated tight budgets and made sure my employees were paid full wages through the challenges of Covid-19. That real-world experience brings practical fiscal responsibility and a grounded perspective to public service. I am committed to making Montana prosperous for all families by cutting wasteful spending, reducing government overreach and creating an environment where businesses and workers can thrive.
For more background information, visit https://shaunpuandina.com/.
What is the best approach to balance state budget needs with concerns about increasing tax rates?
My approach would prioritize a core strategy to cut waste and lower taxes.
Prioritize efficiency through performance reviews. Conduct rigorous audits focused on non-governmental organization contracts and grant expenditures to identify and eliminate wasted or misused public funds, ensuring taxpayer dollars deliver measurable results.
Grow the revenue base responsibly. Promote sustainable logging on state lands to create timber jobs, boost severance taxes and generate special revenue. Expand responsible mining with modern environmental safeguards to increase royalty collections. Support regulated oil and gas drilling to enhance energy production, delivering more higher-paying jobs, lower energy costs and greater prosperity for Montanans.
Reserve one-time funds. Limit surpluses and federal dollars to non-recurring costs only, protecting long-term stability, keeping taxes low and raising Montanans’ prosperity.
Expand contingencies. Tie new spending to measurable results and sunsets, ensuring every dollar drives real economic growth, lowers living costs and builds lasting prosperity for Montana families.
What is your vision for how the state should manage public lands, wildlife and natural resources?
My vision is simple: return full control of our public lands to Montana and manage them for the benefit of our own families, not distant bureaucrats. We must transfer federally managed lands back to the state, replace federal red tape with local stewardship and responsibly develop our timber, mineral and energy resources. This will restore the natural revenue streams that once paid for our schools and communities, allowing us to lower or eliminate property taxes and reduce the cost of living for every Montana family. State-managed wildlife will honor our hunting and fishing heritage while protecting private property rights. The outcome will be stronger families, thriving rural towns and lasting prosperity built from our own lands and resources, not from burdensome taxes and seasonal tourism.
Why are you the best Republican candidate to represent your district?
Growing up in Columbia Falls, I’ve seen firsthand how the loss of high-paying jobs has hurt families and forced many to leave the community we love. As your Republican candidate, I’m committed to reversing that decline. By fighting to transfer federal lands to Montana and expanding responsible logging, we can bring those high-wage jobs back, rebuild the local economy and mitigate fire danger in our forests. This will create real opportunity so our kids can stay here, raise families and prosper in the same place we did. With deep roots in this district and a proven commitment to Montana Republican values, I am the best candidate to deliver the economic freedom and brighter future our families deserve. Contact me anytime. I am here to listen and bring your voice to Helena. I am endorsed by Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, the Montana Freedom Caucus, Montanans for Limited Government and others.
Lyn Bennett.
Shaun Pandina.
