Chip Fitzpatrick HD42

Rep. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick — House District 42

News & Updates

Follow news, legislative activity, community service, and updates involving Rep. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick and the communities he serves.

Montana's 2027 American Indian Caucus could be the biggest yet
American Indian CaucusNews Coverage

Montana's 2027 American Indian Caucus could be the biggest yet

Montana Free Press

Montana Free Press reported that the American Indian Caucus could grow to at least 14 members in the 2027 Legislature. Rep. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick is identified as a Crow incumbent and one of five 2025 caucus members facing a general-election challenger. The article also reviews the caucus's 2025 legislative successes, including Indigenous Peoples' Day and changes related to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.

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Who's running? Here's everyone who filed for legislative races in Yellowstone County
ElectionsNews Coverage

Who's running? Here's everyone who filed for legislative races in Yellowstone County

MSU Exponent

The MSU Exponent's 2026 legislative filing roundup identifies Rep. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick of Crow Agency as the Democratic incumbent in House District 42. The article notes his membership in the Montana American Indian Caucus, his 2024 election to the House, and that he will face Republican Jeremiah Jabs in the 2026 general election.

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Crow Tribal members seek access to sacred Crazy Mountains
Indigenous AffairsNews Coverage

Crow Tribal members seek access to sacred Crazy Mountains

KTVQ / MTN News

KTVQ reported on the cultural and spiritual significance of the Crazy Mountains to the Crow Tribe and efforts to preserve access. Sidney Fitzpatrick is directly featured, describing his family's connection to the mountains and the healing medicine his grandfather obtained there. He also voiced concern about restricted access and the importance of protecting the mountains for Crow people.

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Montana's American Indian Caucus touts historic success in 2025 legislative session
American Indian CaucusNews Coverage

Montana's American Indian Caucus touts historic success in 2025 legislative session

Montana Free Press

Montana Free Press reported that members of the Montana American Indian Caucus described the 2025 session as one of the group's most successful. The caucus advanced priorities affecting Indigenous Peoples' Day, Indian education, Native language preservation, child welfare and other issues affecting tribal communities. Rep. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick was part of the 2025 caucus.

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Celebrating Indigenous Justice Victories
Indigenous AffairsOrganizational Update

Celebrating Indigenous Justice Victories

ACLU of Montana

The ACLU of Montana highlighted several Indigenous-justice measures signed into law after the 2025 legislative session, including bills involving Indian Education for All, the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act, Native language preservation and Indigenous Peoples' Day. The organization specifically names Rep. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick among the elected leaders of the Montana American Indian Caucus it worked alongside.

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American Indian Caucus touts success at Legislature's halfway point
American Indian CaucusNews Coverage

American Indian Caucus touts success at Legislature's halfway point

Montana Free Press

At the midpoint of the 2025 legislative session, Montana Free Press reported that the American Indian Caucus was advancing several priorities with bipartisan support. Rep. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick is identified as a member of the caucus. The coverage discusses Indigenous Peoples' Day, the defeat of legislation opposed on tribal-sovereignty grounds, Medicaid expansion and other caucus priorities.

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Bill bolstering Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force becomes law
Public SafetyNews Coverage

Bill bolstering Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force becomes law

Montana Free Press

Montana Free Press reported that House Bill 83 became law, creating a state special-revenue account for Montana's Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force. The legislation was brought by Rep. Tyson Running Wolf. Rep. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick is identified as a member of the 2025 American Indian Caucus in the article's caucus photo and caption.

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Effort to let nontribal property owners hunt on Flathead Indian Reservation fails
Tribal SovereigntyNews Coverage

Effort to let nontribal property owners hunt on Flathead Indian Reservation fails

Daily Inter Lake

The Daily Inter Lake reported on the defeat of legislation that would have allowed certain nontribal property owners to hunt big game on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Rep. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick, D-Crow Agency, spoke during the hearing and said his elders urged him to oppose the proposal because of concerns about tribal sovereignty and the possibility of similar action affecting the Crow Reservation.

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Montana American Indian Caucus sets legislative agenda
American Indian CaucusNews Coverage

Montana American Indian Caucus sets legislative agenda

Montana Free Press

At the opening of the 2025 Montana legislative session, Montana Free Press reported on the American Indian Caucus's priorities, including health care, affordable housing, the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, Native language preservation and education. Rep. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick of Crow Agency is specifically listed as one of the caucus's 12 members.

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National Democrats throw support behind three Montana legislative candidates
ElectionsNews Coverage

National Democrats throw support behind three Montana legislative candidates

Daily Montanan

Daily Montanan reported that the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee selected Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick as one of three Montana legislative candidates for national spotlight support in 2024. The article identifies Fitzpatrick as Crow and notes his prior service on the Big Horn County Commission and in the local sheriff's department before his run for House District 42.

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'People die like that': Native Americans face serious barriers in accessing care
HealthcareNews Coverage

'People die like that': Native Americans face serious barriers in accessing care

USC Center for Health Journalism / Missoulian

A health-reporting investigation originally published by the Missoulian examined serious barriers Native Americans face when accessing health care. Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick is featured as a Messengers for Health worker on the Crow Reservation and discusses longstanding community distrust of the Indian Health Service, including his own experience avoiding IHS care for many years.

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MACo 2nd Vice President Candidate: Commissioner Sidney Fitzpatrick, Big Horn County
Community ServiceOrganizational Update

MACo 2nd Vice President Candidate: Commissioner Sidney Fitzpatrick, Big Horn County

Montana Association of Counties

The Montana Association of Counties profiled then-Big Horn County Commissioner Sidney Fitzpatrick during his candidacy for MACo second vice president. The profile documents his service as county commission chair, work on justice, public safety and energy issues, county-and-tribal relations experience, Crow Tribal Legislature service, Montana Coal Board vice chairmanship and prior law-enforcement experience.

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Big Horn County, Montana: Leaving Coal Behind
Economic DevelopmentNonprofit Commentary

Big Horn County, Montana: Leaving Coal Behind

Strong Towns

Strong Towns examined Big Horn County's economic transition as coal revenue declined. Sidney Fitzpatrick, then a Big Horn County commissioner and Crow tribal elder, is quoted discussing both the benefits and social costs associated with coal dependence. He also points to transportation infrastructure, including Interstate 90 and the railroad, as assets that could support future commerce and community resilience.

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Eastern Montana County Reevaluates Finances Following Coal Upheavals
Economic DevelopmentNews Coverage

Eastern Montana County Reevaluates Finances Following Coal Upheavals

Yellowstone Public Radio

Yellowstone Public Radio reported on Big Horn County's financial challenges following layoffs at the Decker coal mine. Then-County Commissioner Sidney Fitzpatrick explained how coal revenue had historically reduced the local tax burden and supported county services, while the loss of that revenue was shifting more costs to residents. The story presents Fitzpatrick in his public-service role addressing a major local economic challenge.

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14 verified stories — sorted newest to oldest

All stories on this page are summaries of coverage published by independent news organizations, public-interest nonprofits, or official government and association sources. Each card links directly to the original publisher. Summaries are written to accurately reflect the source and do not constitute endorsements by those publishers.

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