Notable Montana races, 2016
| Notable Montana Races | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Primary | June 7, 2016 |
| General | November 8, 2016 |
| 2016 Notable Races | |
|---|---|
| Choose a state below: | |
Ballotpedia identified 17 notable Montana state legislative races in 2016.
Overview
State House strongly Republican
- Main articles: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2016 and Montana State Senate elections, 2016
Republicans hold majorities in the state House and state Senate. Of the 100 state House seats up for election, 85 seats had a Democrat and a Republican running for election. Republicans have controlled the state House since 2011. They retained control in 2016, as Democrats needed to gain 11 seats to shift control.
Republicans' narrower majority in state Senate
Republicans held a narrower majority in the state Senate. Of the 25 state Senate seats up for election in 2016, 21 seats had a Democrat and a Republican running for election.
To keep their current position in the state Senate, Republicans needed to defend the six open Republican seats (out of the 14 open seats vacated by incumbents) and secure the re-election of five Republican incumbents. To win the state Senate, Democrats needed to gain five seats.
| Partisan breakdown of the Montana Legislature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Republicans | Democrats | |
| Montana House | 59 seats | 41 seats | |
| Montana Senate | 29 seats | 21 seats | |
What makes a race notable?
Ballotpedia uses these criteria to identify notable races:
- Incumbents facing more conservative or liberal challengers
- Rematches between candidates
- Races that receive considerable media attention
- Races that could significantly affect the state's partisan balance
- Competitive races involving party leaders
- Open, competitive races with Republican and Democratic primaries
- Races that capture money and attention from outside groups, including key endorsements
Know of an interesting race we should include here? Email us!
Notable primary elections
State Senate District 3
- The House Majority Leader competed with another GOP candidate for an open seat left by the GOP incumbent.
Incumbent state Sen. Bruce Tutvedt (R) declined to run for re-election. House Majority Leader Keith Regier (R) faced Don Kaltschmidt (R) in the Republican primary contest. Melissa Hartman (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
According to KRTV News, Rep. Regier is "a leader of the conservative wing" in the state House.[1]
Regier and Kaltschmidt distinguished themselves on infrastructure, a major issue in the state. Regier led the effort in the state House to vote against Senate Bill 416, a $150 million infrastructure bill. Regier defended the vote as a stand in favor of the party's conservative wing and against moderate Republicans who defected on issues opposed by conservatives, such as Medicaid expansion. Kaltschmidt said that the party failed to compromise on a bill for necessary infrastructure projects in the state.
The Republican candidates received the following key endorsements:[2][3]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Regier | Kaltschmidt |
| National Rifle Association | U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke (R) |
| Former Montana Secretary of State Bob Brown | |
State Senate District 10
- Two Republicans competed for an open seat left by the Democratic incumbent.
Incumbent state Sen. Brad Hamlett (D) declined to run for re-election, leaving the seat open. State Rep. Steve Fitzpatrick (R) faced J.C. Kantorowicz (R) in the Republican primary contest. Deborah Mavin (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
The contest between Kantorowicz and Fitzpatrick turned contentious in April 2016. At a discussion with the Cascade County Republican Party about selecting delegates to the state party convention, Kantorowicz said that "a bullet" would help prevent the selection of delegates whom Kantorowicz did not support. In a later interview regarding his comments, Kantorowicz said, "I hadn’t had any supper and I had worked hard all day. I was tired and getting really cranky because now I have to come to another meeting. That’s where the comment came from. ... If I make a remark because I’m tired as hell, I’m hungry, I want to go home and I sure as hell don’t want to come to the next meeting—it’s a flippant remark."[4]
Fitzpatrick responded, "In this day and age, when a person suggests a political opponent should be murdered, you have to take those threats seriously. ... I regard the threat by Mr. Kantorowicz as serious and I believe Mr. Kantorowicz is dangerous and unstable."[4]
Kantorowicz also distinguished himself as a conservative against Fitzpatrick, whom he characterized as "a RINO," an acronym for Republican In Name Only. "Whenever votes were close on a Republican bill before the Legislature, he cast the deciding vote to defeat the bill. The only time he voted with Republicans was when the Democrats also voted with the GOP to overwhelmingly pass legislation," Kantorowicz said.[5]
State Senate District 15
- Three Republicans competed for the open seat left by the Republican incumbent.
Incumbent state Sen. Jim Peterson (R) declined to run for re-election. Three Republicans competed for the open seat: Hertha Lund (R), former state Rep. Harry Klock (R), and state Rep. Ryan Osmundson (R). Sean McConnaha (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Lund, Klock, and Osmundson said they oppose an increase in the state's minimum wage, the closure of coal-fired power plants in the state, and the legalization of recreational marijuana. On the issue of the state's infrastructure, Klock said he supports more state funding for infrastructure; Lund said she supports some form of legislation to improve infrastructure; Osmundson said he supports some state assistance for local communities to improve infrastructure but also said the state needs a Republican governor to address the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) standards for infrastructure.[6]
State Senate District 36
- Two Republicans competed for the open seat left by the Republican incumbent.
Incumbent state Sen. Debby Barrett (R) declined to run for re-election. State Rep. Jeff Welborn (R) faced Dale Stewart in the Republican primary contest. No Democrat filed to run.
In a candidate questionnaire for the Montana Standard, Stewart said that he supports "a small government approach, traditional family values, more local control of our educational decisions, removing obstacles that stifle economic growth in our communities and a strong commitment to upholding the 2nd Amendment." In the same questionnaire, Welborn highlighted his work to secure funding for a new veterans' home, the Ruby Dam, reconstruction at the University of Montana-Western, and the Virginia and Nevada City Complex.[7]
The candidates received the following key endorsements:[8]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Welborn[9] | Stewart |
| Outgoing state Sen. Debby Barrett (R) | |
| Montana Shooting Sports Association | |
State House District 11
- Two Republicans competed for the open seat left by the Republican incumbent.
Incumbent state Rep. Albert Olszewski (R) declined to run for re-election. Former state Rep. Derek Skees (R) faced former school board member Jean Barragan (R) in the Republican primary contest. Eileen Bech (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
The candidates received the following key endorsements:[10][11]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Barragan[12] | Skees |
| Former state Sen. Verdell Jackson (R) | |
| Montana Shooting Sports Association | |
State House District 17
- Three Republicans competed for the open seat left by the Republican incumbent.
Incumbent state Rep. Christy Clark (R) declined to run for re-election. Three Republicans competed in the Republican primary contest: Ross Fitzgerald (R), David Brownell (R), and Charlie Brown (R). Barnett Sporkin-Morrison (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
The candidates answered a candidate questionnaire for the Great Falls Tribune in May 2016. Brown highlighted his experience teaching history and government as a public school teacher. Brownell said that he would focus on improving education and creating jobs if elected. Fitzgerald said that he would focus on preventing government overreach and promoting economic growth in the private sector if elected.[13]
State House District 18
- District 18 featured a candidate rematch between the GOP incumbent and the 2014 challenger.
Incumbent state Rep. Rob Cook (R) is running for re-election. Cook faced Ann Morren (R). Herbert Hartzell (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
In 2014, Cook defeated Morren by a margin of 60 percent to 40 percent.
According to KRTV News, Cook is "a leader of the moderate faction" in the state House. In a candidate questionnaire, Cook said he has "a documented record of putting my constituents in front of the demands of party bosses." In the same questionnaire, Morren said she was running due to her "fidelity to the goals and ideals spelled out in our [Montana's and the United States'] founding documents."[1][14]
State House District 19
- A Republican incumbent challenged the District 19 incumbent.
Incumbent state Rep. Randy Pinocci (R) is running for re-election. He faced state Rep. Wendy McKamey (R), who challenged Pinocci for his seat rather than run for re-election in her own district.
McKamey narrowly won her District 23 seat in 2014, defeating Earl Salley (D) by just 16 votes out of 2,534 votes cast.
Infrastructure is a major issue in the state. McKamey touted her vote in favor of a $150 million infrastructure bill that failed by one vote in the legislature in 2015. Pinocci voted against the bill.[15]
State House District 20
- Two Republicans competed for the open seat left by the Republican incumbent.
Incumbent state Rep. Steve Fitzpatrick (R) declined to run for re-election for the state Senate. Fred Anderson (R) faced Sheridan Buck (R) in the Republican primary contest. Amy Rapp (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Anderson previously ran for the state House District 24 seat in 2014 and lost by just 23 votes out of 3,131 votes cast.
According to KRTV News, Buck "appears to be the choice of conservatives" in her race against Anderson.[1]
The candidates received the following key endorsements:[16]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Anderson[17] | Buck |
| National Rifle Association | |
| Montana Shooting Sports Association | |
| State Rep. Bob Brown (R) | |
| State Rep. Bill Harris (R) | |
| State Rep. Theresa Manzella (R) | |
| State Rep. Matthew Monforton (R) | |
| State Rep. Dale Mortensen (R) | |
| State Rep. Randall Pinocci (R) | |
| State Rep. Brad Tschida (R) | |
| State Sen. Roger Webb (R) | |
| State Rep. Daniel Zolnikov (R) | |
State House District 27
- Two Republicans competed for the open seat left by the Republican incumbent.
Incumbent state Rep. Roy Hollandsworth (R) declined to run for re-election. James O'Hara (R) faced Darrold Hutchinson (R) in the Republican primary contest. Ryan Rominger (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
According to KRTV News, Hutchinson "has support from conservatives" in the race against O'Hara. KRTV News also characterized Hollandsworth, the outgoing incumbent, as "a Republican who voted with moderates on many issues."[1]
State House District 35
- The Republican incumbent faced a primary challenger backed by business groups.
Incumbent state Rep. Scott Staffanson (R) is running for re-election. He faced Joel Krautter (R) in the Republican primary contest. Chris Trumpower (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
According to KRTV News, Krautter received support from "many establishment Republicans and business groups."[1]
Infrastructure is a major issue in the contest between Krautter and Staffanson. According to Bozeman Daily Chronicle reporter Troy Carter at the 407 Politics blog, the contest is likely to be "a voter referendum on the failure of an infrastructure bill during the 2015 session in the heart of the Bakken Oil Field."[18]
The $150 million infrastructure bill, which Staffanson opposed, failed by one vote in the state legislature. Staffanson said the bill had too much state spending, while Krautter, who supported the bill, said it was not perfect but a step in the right direction in providing needed infrastructure funds.[19]
The candidates received the following key endorsements:[20][21]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Krautter | Staffanson |
| Montana Farm Bureau PAC | National Rifle Association |
State House District 38
- District 38 featured a candidate rematch.
Incumbent state Rep. Alan Doane (R) is running for re-election. He faced Edward Hilbert (R) in the Republican primary contest. Mike Ruddy (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
In 2012, Doane defeated Hilbert in the Republican primary contest by 61 votes out of 1,661 votes cast. Doane was unopposed in the 2014 Republican primary contest.
State House District 40
- Three Republicans competed for the open seat left by the Democratic incumbent.
Incumbent state Rep. Bill McChesney (D) declined to run for re-election. Edith Sloan (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Three Republicans competed in the Republican primary contest: Pat Riley (R), Bruce Hoiland (R), and Barry Usher (R).
The Republican candidates received the following key endorsements:[22]
| Key endorsements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Usher | Riley[23] | Hoiland[24] |
| Montana Shooting Sports Association | ||
State House District 45
- The Republican incumbent faced a primary challenger over infrastructure issues.
Incumbent state Rep. Daniel Zolnikov (R) is running for re-election. He faced John Bedford (R) in the Republican primary contest. Ken Crouch (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Infrastructure is a major issue in the state. Zolnikov voted against a $150 million infrastructure bill, which failed by one vote in the state legislature in 2015. Bedford said that Zolnikov's vote was "petty party politics." Zolnikov defended his vote and said there was "no room for negotiation" on the bill and that the legislature needs "to properly address" the issue of infrastructure.[25]
State House District 67
- The Republican incumbent faced a primary challenger over infrastructure issues.
Incumbent state Rep. Tom Burnett (R) is running for re-election. He faced Mike Houghton (R) in the Republican primary contest. John Jurmu (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Houghton said he was challenging Burnett over Burnett's vote against a $150 million infrastructure bill, which failed by one vote in the state legislature in 2015. "As a taxpayer, I find it appalling that many of our local lawmakers have refused to support long-term investment in business and education infrastructure," Houghton said.
The Republican candidates received the following key endorsements:[26]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Burnett | Houghton[27] |
| National Rifle Association | |
| Montana Shooting Sports Association | |
State House District 69
- Two Republicans competed for the open seat left by the Republican incumbent.
Incumbent state Rep. Matthew Monforton (R) declined to run for re-election. Walt Sales (R) faced Phil Olson (R) in the Republican primary contest. Eric Dunham (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
On his campaign website, Olson described himself as "a true conservative." Olson's campaign website highlighted the candidate's support for the Second Amendment, pro-life policies, state sovereignty, better mental health treatment facilities, and low-cost energy production.[28]
Sales' campaign website highlighted the candidate's support for water rights, infrastructure spending, coal-based energy production, and protection of natural resources.[29]
The Republicans candidates received the following key endorsements:[30][31]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Sales | Olson |
| Montana Farm Bureau | Montana Shooting Sports Association |
| State Sen. Taylor Brown (R) | |
State House District 71
- The Republican incumbent faced his 2012 and 2014 opponent.
Incumbent state Rep. Ray Shaw (R) is running for re-election. He faced former state Rep. Robert Wagner (R), his 2012 and 2014 opponent, in the Republican primary contest. No Democrat filed to run for re-election.
In 2012, Shaw defeated Wagner, who was the incumbent, by 48 votes out of 2,265 votes cast in the Republican primary race. In 2014, Shaw defeated Wagner by a larger margin—59 percent to 40 percent.
The candidates received the following key endorsements:[32][33]
| Key endorsements | |
|---|---|
| Wagner | Shaw[34] |
| Montana Shooting Sports Association | |
| National Rifle Association | |
Freshman legislators
The following is a list of challengers who won election on November 8.
- Adam Hertz (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 96
- Adam Rosendale (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 51
- Albert Olszewski (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 6
- Amanda Curtis (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 74
- Barry Usher (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 40
- Becky Beard (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 80
- Brad Hamlett (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 23
- Bruce Grubbs (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 68
- Casey Knudsen (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 33
- Dan Bartel (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 29
- Daniel Salomon (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 47
- Dave Fern (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 5
- Denley Loge (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 14
- Dennis Lenz (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 53
- Derek Skees (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 11
- Edith McClafferty (Democratic), .Montana State Senate, District 38
- Frank Smith (Democratic), .Montana State Senate, District 16
- Fred Anderson (Montana) (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 20
- Jacob Bachmeier (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 28
- James O'Hara (Montana) (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 27
- Jason Small (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 21
- Jeffrey Welborn (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 36
- Jen Gross (Democratic), .Montana State Senate, District 25
- Jeremy Trebas (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 25
- Jim Hamilton (Montana) (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 61
- Jim Keane (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 73
- Jimmy Patelis (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 52
- John Fleming (Montana) (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 93
- Jon Knokey (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 65
- Jonathan Windy Boy (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 32
- Keith Regier (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 3
- Kim Abbott (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 83
- Laurie Bishop (Montana) (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 60
- Lola Sheldon-Galloway (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 22
- Margaret MacDonald (Democratic), .Montana State Senate, District 26
- Marilyn Ryan (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 99
- Matt Regier (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 4
- Mike Hopkins (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 92
- Mike Lang (Montana) (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 17
- Peggy Webb (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 43
- Ross Fitzgerald (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 17
- Ryan Osmundson (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 15
- Shane Morigeau (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 95
- Sharon Stewart-Peregoy (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 42
- Steve Fitzpatrick (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 10
- Steve Gunderson (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 1
- Steve Hinebauch (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 18
- Sue Vinton (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 56
- Terry Gauthier (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 40
- Tom Richmond (Republican), .Montana State Senate, District 28
- Tom Welch (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 72
- Walt Sales (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 69
- Wylie Galt (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 30
Defeated incumbents
The following is a list of incumbents who were defeated on November 8.
- Andrew Person (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 96
- Christopher Pope (Democratic), .Montana House of Representatives, District 65
- David Moore (Montana) (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 92
- Debra Lamm (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 60
- Stephanie Hess (Republican), .Montana House of Representatives, District 28
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 KRTV.com, "Where are key Montana GOP legislative primary races? All over," accessed May 19, 2016
- ↑ Don K for Senate, "Endorsements," accessed May 12, 2016
- ↑ VoteSmart.org, "Keith Regier's Ratings and Endorsements," accessed May 17, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Great Falls Tribune, "A House Divided: Local GOP in bitter leadership dispute," April 16, 2016
- ↑ cascadecountyrepublicans.com, "Who is JC Kantorowicz?" accessed May 19, 2016
- ↑ Great Falls Tribune, "Senate District 15: Klock, Lund, Osmundson," May 10, 2016
- ↑ mstandard.com, "State Senate candidates for Southwest Montana," May 14, 2016
- ↑ stewart4u.com, "Endorsements and Support," accessed May 19, 2016
- ↑ As of May 23, 2016, no endorsements had been listed on the candidate's website.
- ↑ derekskees.com, "Senator Verdell Jackson Endorsement," accessed May 19, 2016
- ↑ derekskees.com, "The Montana Shooting Sports Association Endorses Derek Skees," accessed May 19, 2016
- ↑ As of May 23, 2016, no endorsements had been listed on the candidate's website.
- ↑ Great Falls Tribune, "House District 17: Brown, Brownell, Fitzgerald running for office," May 19, 2016
- ↑ Great Falls Tribune, "House District 18: Cook, Morren," May 9, 2016
- ↑ Great Falls Tribune, "Leaders should do a better job on infrastructure," May 17, 2016
- ↑ Sheridan Buck, "Endorsements," accessed May 13, 2016
- ↑ As of May 23, 2016, no endorsements had been listed on the candidate's website.
- ↑ 407 Politics, "2016 GOP Primary: Staffanson v. Krautter in Eastern Montana House seat," January 15, 2016
- ↑ Sidney Herald, "A race in House District 35: Fast and furious 2016 election season has opened," January 16, 2016
- ↑ roundupweb.com, "Montana Farm Bureau Political Action Committee Endorses Joel Krautter In MT House District 35 Race," April 20, 2016
- ↑ votesmart.org, "Scott Staffanson's Ratings and Endorsements," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ progunleaders.org, "Primary Election, 2016 Legislative Candidate Endorsements," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ As of May 23, 2016, no endorsements had been listed on the candidate's website.
- ↑ As of May 23, 2016, no endorsements had been listed on the candidate's website.
- ↑ mtpr.org, "Infrastructure Looms As Defining Issue In Montana Legislative Races," May 16, 2016
- ↑ votesmart.org, "Tom Burnett's Ratings and Endorsements," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ As of May 23, 2016, no endorsements had been listed on the candidate's website.
- ↑ Phil Olson for House, "Home," accessed May 16, 2016
- ↑ waltsales4montana.com, "List of issues," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ progunleaders.org, "Primary Election, 2016 Legislative Candidate Endorsements," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ waltsales4montana.com, "Endorsements," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ progunleaders.org, "Primary Election, 2016 Legislative Candidate Endorsements," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ votesmart.org, "Robert 'Bob' John Wagner's Ratings and Endorsements," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ As of May 23, 2016, no endorsements had been listed on the candidate's website.
