Montana state legislative Republican primaries, 2020

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2020 Montana State Legislature elections
General	November 3, 2020
Primary	June 2, 2020

2020 elections
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The 2019 legislative session highlighted divisions within the Montana Republican Party between two loosely defined groups: the Solutions Caucus and the 38 Special.

The Solutions Caucus was an unofficial group of Republican senators and representatives who voted with Democratic members to pass Medicaid expansion and an infrastructure bonding bill during the 2019 legislative session.^[1]

The 38 Special was a collection of House Republicans who appeared in a photo posted by Rep. Theresa Manzella (R-85) at the end of the 2019 session. According to Manzella, the number 38 referred to "The 38 [House Republicans] who consistently voted to uphold the Constitutions, adhere to Republican principles and limit government."^[2]

Battleground races[edit]

The number of contested Republican primaries increased by 76% from 2018 to 2020. In 2018, 21 races featured a Republican primary compared to 37 in 2020. The following races were identified by Eric Dietrich at Montana Free Press as featuring a Solutions Caucus and/or 38 Special member in a contested Republican primary. These primaries had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could have led to changes in the membership of the Republican caucus. To learn more about the methodology used to compile these lists, click here.

The following race summaries indicate the district, 2016 presidential election results in that district, and any candidates affiliated with either the Solutions Caucus or the 38 Special in the primary.

Senate battlegrounds[edit]

Senate District 10[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 65% Clinton: 29%[3]

Solutions Caucus member

Steve Fitzpatrick

38 Special member

None

What made this a battleground race?

Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick was first elected to Senate District 10 in 2016. This was his first re-election campaign. In 2016, Fitzpatrick defeated J.C. Kantorowicz in the Republican primary 70-30%. He previously represented House District 20 from 2013 to 2015. Jeni Dodd worked in forestry and print journalism.[4] She was endorsed by Montanans for Limited Government.[5] Fitzpatrick said, "our political system has become highly polarized and people are not working together to solve the problems we face." He added, "We need leaders who have the experience and willingness to do the right thing."[6] Dodd said "I decided to challenge the incumbent ... because I think it is important to give the voters of my district the choice of a candidate that represents true Republican values." Referencing the Solutions Caucus, she said, "It is not a 'solution' to vote against the very values you claim to represent."[6]

Senate District 28[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 66% Clinton: 26%[3]

Solutions Caucus member

Tom Richmond

38 Special member

None

What made this a battleground race?

Sen. Richmond was elected to Senate District 28 in 2016. He previously represented House District 56 from 2014 to 2017. In 2016, Richmond defeated Mark Morse in the Republican primary 53-47%. Brad Molnar was a member of the Montana Public Service Commission representing District 2 from 2005 to 2013. He served in the Montana House of Representatives from 1993 to 1999.

Senate District 35[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 69% Clinton: 24%[3]

Solutions Caucus member

Walt Sales

38 Special member

None

What made this a battleground race?

Incumbent state Sen. Scott Sales (R) did not seek re-election, leaving the seat open. Three candidates—Debra Brown, Gary Perry, and Walt Sales—ran in the Republican primary. Brown was president of the Montana Federation of Republican Women and previously served as treasurer of the Montana Republican Party[7] She said, "I am not a career politician. I have experience a lot of the same things many of the people in Montana have experience."[6] Perry previously represented Senate District 35 from 2003 to 2011. He said he sought the nomination because he could not "sit on the sidelines and watch government raise taxes and slowly allow our Constitutional Rights to deteriorate."[6] W. Sales was a state Representative for House District 69. He was first elected to that seat in 2016. He said he would "continue bringing solutions to the State that welcomes and encourages all our children and grandchildren to stay and invest here."[6]

Senate District 44[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 67% Clinton: 27%[3]

Solutions Caucus member

Nancy Ballance

38 Special member

Theresa Manzella

What made this a battleground race?

Incumbent state Sen. Fred Thomas (R) did not seek re-election, leaving the seat open. Both Nancy Ballance and Theresa Manzella were incumbent state representatives. Ballance was elected to House District 87 in 2012 and served as chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Manzella, the vice chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, was elected to House District 85 in 2014. When she announced her intention to run for the Senate seat in May 2019, Ballance said, "I have a proven track record of listening to voters and of being able to work with other legislators to create real solutions for Montanans." She added, "I believe the people of Senate District 44 want actual accomplishments and results, not rhetoric and sound bites."[8] Manzella, citing Ballance's presence in the primary, announced her candidacy for District 44 later that year saying, "I believe it's my civic duty to give the good citizens of the district a choice," adding that she had "faith that our citizens prefer the traditional, conservative definition of Republican over the trending 'progressive' vision threatening our party."[8]

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Scott Roy McLean (R)

House battlegrounds[edit]

House District 7[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 56% Clinton: 35%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

Frank Garner

38 Special member

None

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. Garner was elected to House District 7 in 2014. He faced two primaries—in 2014 and 2018—winning both with over 70 percent of the vote. Jerry O'Neil previously represented House District 3 from 2011 to 2015. He was recommended by Montanans for Limited Government.[10]

House District 9[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 70% Clinton: 23%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

None

38 Special member

David Dunn

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. David Dunn was first elected in 2018 after defeating Warren Illi (R) in the Republican primary 55-45%. He said, "I am a Pro-life Constitutional Conservative ... As a legislator it is my patriotic duty to protect our liberties in Helena."[11] Brian Putnam cited his engineering background, saying, "I will approach the issues with an analytical mindset. Solutions have to be thought out, and risks addressed to prevent one fix from causing other problems."[12]

House District 10[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 69% Clinton: 26%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

None

38 Special member

Mark Noland

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. Mark Noland was first elected in 2014. This was his first contested primary. Regarding the state legislature, Noland said, "we have a group [of Republicans] who vote with the Democratic party to tax more so they can decide where to spend our money." He continued, "Well I must stand up for we the people and vote against spending bills."[13] Doug Mahlum was the owner of Montana Athletic Club in Bigfork.[14] In a Candidate Connection survey, Mahlmum wrote "that partisan politics is dividing us," adding that "We need to come together and pass common sense, conservative solutions, using the best ideas from across the political spectrum."

House District 11[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 73% Clinton: 22%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

None

38 Special member

Derek Skees

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. Derek Skees was first elected to represent District 11 in 2016 after defeating Jean Barragan (R) in the Republican primary 52-48%. He previously represented House District 4 from 2011 to 2013. Skees said, "(Voters) send us here expecting to adhere to the brand of what it is to be a Republican," and that members of the Solutions Caucus "make liars of Republicans who go to Helena."[15] Dee Kirk-Boon formerly chaired the Flathead County Republican Party.[16] Regarding legislative work, she said, "It's negotiation all the way ... At the end of the day, you're here for all Montanans, not for your political career."[16]

House District 21[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 57% Clinton: 36%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

Ed Buttrey

38 Special member

None

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. Ed Buttrey was elected to District 21 in 2018. He previously represented Senate District 11 from 2011 to 2019. He faced a three-way primary in 2018, which he won with 76 percent of the vote. Buttrey authored House Bill 658, the Medicaid expansion bill, during the 2019 session. He said, "I am not an ideolog, or someone that believes that anyone has the best solution ... I can solve problems, but know that by listening more than talking, we can come up with great solutions."[17] Sally Tucker called herself "the Real Republican in the Primary for HD21."[18] She said, "Republicans must face the fact that we are battling for the soul of our Party," adding that "You needn't settle for politicians who claim to be Republican...then vote consistently with democrats."[19]

House District 35[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 81% Clinton: 14%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

Joel Krautter

38 Special member

None

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. Joel Krautter was first elected in 2018 after defeating Tanya Rost (R) in the Republican primary 54-46%. He said, "I'm committed to leadership that rejects the politics of division and seeks instead to build a bridge to bring us together, for the betterment of our district and all Montana."[20] Brandon Ler was a trustee on the Savage Public School board. He said, "While every representative should vote their conscience, we need a representative whose conscience is consistently conservative." He added, "You can count on me not giving two pennies for what Democrat legislators across the state care about."[21]

House District 37[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 84% Clinton: 12%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

Eric Moore

38 Special member

None

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. Eric Moore was elected to District 37 in 2018. He served in the state Senate from 2011 to 2019. Moore faced a four-way primary in 2010, winning with 57 percent of the vote. He referred to himself as "the conservative candidate most qualified to represent [District 37] in the Montana House," saying that "I've received the 'Conservative Excellence Award' from the American Conservative Union."[22] Jerry Schillinger said, "The Solutions Caucus went against the Republican Majority and Leadership to pass big spending, big government bills. I will stand with the Republican Party against bloated Gov."[23] Receiving 84 percent of the vote, House District 37 was Trump's most winningest House District in Montana in 2016.[9]

House District 70[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 69% Clinton: 24%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

Julie Dooling

38 Special member

None

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. Julie Dooling was first elected in 2018 after winning a four-way primary with 38 percent of the vote. One of her 2018 primary competitors, Tim Ravndal, ran in the 2020 primary. He placed fourth in 2018, receiving 20 percent of the vote. Dooling said "I am running for re-election because I want to continue the journey that resulted in so many positive outcomes that we attained last season," specifically referencing "HB 175 State Employee Pay Plan and HB 421 Revisions to Criminal Code."[6] Ravndal said Dooling "has consistently crossed that bridge of growing government," adding, "Our elected officials cannot be afraid to stand up to government overreach and to defend the rights of its citizens."[6]

House District 75[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 61% Clinton: 31%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

None

38 Special member

Greg DeVries

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. Greg DeVries was first elected in 2018 after defeating Gregg Trude in the Republican primary 55-45%. He said he sought re-election "To continue to lend a Christian conservative voice: 1) for the unborn, 2) against government overreach, and 3) against any fiscal growth in government."[6] Marta Bertoglio was a real estate broker and Air Force veteran. She said, "I am running as a principled fiscal conservative with a focus on expanding upon the good paying jobs in our District," adding, "I hope to bring some civility to the public policy arena."[6]

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ken Stuker (R)

House District 86[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 60% Clinton: 34%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

David Bedey

38 Special member

None

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. David Bedey was first elected in 2018 after defeating Jacob DeVries in the Republican primary 62-38%. He said people in the Solutions Caucus "look around and say, 'Here is the situation that we have to deal with now ... and how do we advance our conservative principles within the real world?"[24] Kenneth Allen was recommended by Montanans for Limited Government.[10] He said, "it's time to get this done right and Vote for real conservative Republicans not Solution Caucus RINOS [Republicans In Name Only]."[25]

House District 88[edit]

2016 presidential election results

Trump: 64% Clinton: 30%[9]

Solutions Caucus member

Sharon Greef

38 Special member

None

What made this a battleground race?

Rep. Sharon Greef was first elected in 2018 after winning a three-way primary with 47 percent of the vote. She replaced her husband, Ed Greef (R), who represented District 88 from 2011 to 2019. Jim Crews previously served as a town councilor and mayor of Stevensville. He ran in the 2018 primary, placing second with 36 percent of the vote. Scott Roy McLean was an attorney and volunteer firefighter.[26]

Inclusion methodology[edit]

Neither the 38 Special nor the Solutions Caucus were official membership organizations, which meant certain methodologies were used to compile membership lists.

Membership in the 38 Special was determined based on the image posted by Rep. Manzella to her Facebook page in 2019.^[2] According to Eric Dietrich at Montana Free Press, the Solutions Caucus consisted of 20 representatives and 10 senators. Dietrich arrived at those numbers based on Montana Free Press reporting during the 2019 session, cross-referencing lists with Manzella's photo, and using "a list of Solutions Caucus members circulated among the Capitol press corps by former legislator Rob Cook, a Solutions Caucus ally."^[27]

Montana political history[edit]

Party control[edit]

See also: Partisan composition of state senates, Partisan composition of state houses and State government trifectas

State senate[edit]

Party		As of November 2021
	Democratic Party	19
	Republican Party	30
	Vacancies	1
Total		50

House of Representatives[edit]

Party		As of November 2021
	Democratic Party	33
	Republican Party	67
	Vacancies	0
Total		100

Trifectas[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government.

Montana Party Control: 1992-2021
No Democratic trifectas  •  Eleven years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21
Governor	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R
Senate	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	S	S	R	R	S	S	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

Presidential politics in Montana[edit]

2016 Presidential election results[edit]

See also[edit]

• Montana House of Representatives elections, 2020
• Montana State Senate elections, 2020
• Montana State Legislature
• Montana elections, 2020

Footnotes[edit]

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