Eric Tilleman is an American politician serving as a member of the Montana House of Representatives. He represents the 23rd district which covers the southern area of Great Falls and nearby towns.[1] He was appointed to the House in July 2024, succeeding Scot Kerns who resigned.[2] He was elected to a full term in November 2024.[3]
Early life and education
Tilleman is a native of Chinook, Montana.[4] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education from Montana State University.[5]
Career
Tilleman taught agriculture at Cascade High School for 16 years.[6] In 2014 Tilleman was awarded the Montana Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year by the Montana Association for Career and Technical Education.[7] He was the winner of the Ideas Unlimited award from Montana Association of Agricultural Educators in 2014.[8]
In 2020, Tilleman began working as an agricultural education specialist in the Montana Office of Public Instruction.[6] In 2022 he was selected as President-elect for the National Association of Agricultural Educators, then served as President for 2023-2024.[9][6] Tilleman was also the fire chief in Cascade for the volunteer fire department.[9]
Tilleman ran for Montana House District 22 in the 2014 election. While he won the primary, he dropped out prior to the general election.[10]
Tilleman was appointed to the Montana House of Representatives in July 2024. The county commissioners selected Tilleman as he won the Republican primary in June.[2] In the general election he defeated Democrat Sandor Hopkins and Libertarian Kevin Leatherbarrow with 56% of the vote. He was assigned to three committees for the 2025 legislative session: State Administration, Education, and Agriculture.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Rep. Eric Tilleman". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ^ a b Rowell, Jenn (2024-07-22). "County Commission appoints Tilleman for HD23 vacancy - The Electric". theelectricgf.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "2024 General Election". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ^ Miller, Donna. "Tilleman Will Lead Agriculture Educators". The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "HD 23 Candidate Profiles: Hopkins, Leatherbarrow, Tilleman". KRTV NEWS Great Falls. 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ a b c "Eric Tilleman". NAAE. National Association of Agricultural Educators. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ^ "Teacher of the year" (PDF). Montana ACTE. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ^ "MAAE award winners". Montana FFA Foundation. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ^ a b McGonigal, Tim (December 7, 2022). "Former Cascade teacher will lead national ag educator recruitment". KRTV. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ^ "2014 Primary Election". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved 5 March 2025.