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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

2024 primary election recap

Here's what happened in Montana's 2024 Primary Election. Winners according to AP race calls.

U.S. Senate

Montana’s U.S. Senate race is set for November. The Associated Press called the races for Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester and Republican Tim Sheehy. Libertarian Sid Daoud is also running for the seat that could determine control of the U.S. Senate.

Tester’s campaign said in a statement the senator is building the coalition “from demographics that will power him to victory,” including Republicans, independents, veterans, Native Americans and women.

Tester is a three-term senator and farmer from Big Sandy. Sheehy is a political newcomer, former Navy SEAL and business owner from Bozeman. Daoud is a city councilor in Kalispell and chair of the Montana Libertarian Party. He was uncontested in his primary.

In the primary races, Tester beat challenger Michael Hummert, a Navy veteran from Helena. Sheehy won a three-way contest over former Public Service Commissioner Brad Johnson and environmental consultant Charles Walkingchild.

Sheehy said in a statement he’s, “always put country before self,” and says he’s running to address inflation, the southern border and to beat Tester.

According to unofficial results, Michael Downey, a drought program coordinator for the state, is leading the Green Party primary over Robert Barb as of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Western U.S. House

Montana’s western U.S. House primary races for Republicans and Democrats have also been called by the AP, setting up a rematch. Representative Ryan Zinke has won as the Republican candidate and will face off against Democratic candidate and environmental lawyer Monica Tranel in the general election.

Eastern U.S. House

In the crowded Republican Primary race for the eastern congressional district, the AP has called the race for current State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner Troy Downing.

Just before midnight, the AP called the four-way Democratic primary race for former State Rep. John Driscoll of Helena.

Throughout the night Tuesday, Democrats swapped turns in the lead, with Driscoll finally winning the race with 34% of the vote.

Driscoll was followed by Steve Held with 26%, Ming Cabrera with 21% and Kevin Hamm with 19%

Governor

Gov. Greg Gianforte has secured his place as the Republican candidate in the Governor’s race, according to an AP race call. Gianforte faced a challenge from far-right state Rep. Tanner Smith of Lakeside. In the Democratic Primary Ryan Busse beat Jim Hunt to advance to the general election.

Montana Supreme Court

Two candidates get to advance from the primary for each seat on the Montana Supreme Court. Two seats are up for election in 2024.

Broadwater County Attorney Corey Swanson is leading the race for chief justice of the state’s high court. Former federal magistrate judge Jeremiah Lynch is in a close second, and both will advance to the general election.

In the race for open seat #3 on the court, District Court Judge Katharine Bidegary from Sidney is in the lead, followed by Flathead County District Court Judge Dan Wilson and former state legislator.

Attorney General

According to AP race results, current Attorney General Austin Knudsen has won the Republican primary and will run against the Democratic candidate, Bozeman attorney Ben Alke in the general election.

Secretary of State

Deer Lodge newspaper owner Jesse Mullen is the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State. Ben Lamb is the Libertarian candidate for the office. The Republican candidate is the current Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen.

State Auditor

Current Public Service Commissioner and lawyer James Brown won the Republican primary he’ll be running against the Democratic candidate, Whitefish-based retired business executive John Repke in the general election.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Shannon O’Brien is the Democratic candidate for the Superintendent of Public Instruction, she’s a former teacher and current state senator from Missoula. Townsend School District Superintendent Susie Hedalen is the Republican candidate.

Clerk of Supreme Court

The Associated Press did not report race results for the Clerk of the Supreme Court. Senate President Jason Ellsworth is challenging incumbent clerk Bowen Greenwood in the Republican primary. Helena Attorney Erin Farris-Olsen and Navy Veteran Jordan Ophus are vying for the Democratic primary. The Libertarian candidate for Clerk of the Supreme Court is attorney Roger Roots.

According to the Montana Secretary of State’s website with 21% of the votes counted as of 10:30 PM: in the Republican primary, Bowen Greenwood had 53% of the votes versus Jason Ellsworth’s 47% while Erin Farris-Olsen was the Democratic primary frontrunner with 84% of the votes to Jordan Ophus’ 16%.

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