Montanans cast their ballots Tuesday in the state’s primary to set the roster for who they’ll be seeing in November’s general election.
Those in line to vote after 8 p.m. can still cast ballots. Results will be available here shortly after polls close as well as on Lee Montana websites.
By Tuesday morning, already 47% of absentee ballots had been returned, for a total turnout of 28% going into Election Day.
The state is the venue for one of the most closely watched contests in the country — Big Sandy farmer and incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester’s bid to keep his seat amidst a challenge from political newcomer Tim Sheehy, a Republican CEO of an aerial firefighting company and former Navy SEAL.
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The race has already drawn massive attention and millions of dollars to the state. Republicans, led in their effort by Montana’s junior Sen. Steve Daines, see Tester as one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators up for re-election this cycle, as he’s running in a state former President Donald Trump, who is on the ballot this year, won by large margins before.
In other races, the state’s eastern House GOP primary features eight candidates, though technically nine names appear for voters to choose from as one person dropped out after ballots were finalized. The presumed top three candidates, state Auditor Troy Downing, state education Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and former congressman Denny Rehberg have all duked it out while vowing their loyalty to Trump, who at the last minute announced his endorsement of Downing. A series of lesser-known candidates hope to play spoiler in such a crowded field.
On the Democratic side, the primary includes Kevin Hamm of Helena, Ming Cabrera of Billings, Steve Held of Broadus and John Driscoll of Helena. The district is heavily Republican.
The western half of the state will pick the Republican to face off against Democrat Monica Tranel in the still-fresh western congressional district. In 2022, shortly after the district was created, Tranel lost to now-incumbent Rep. Ryan Zinke, who is expected to easily in his primary over challenger Mary Todd.
All the statewide Land Board positions are also up for election, including governor, secretary of state, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction and state auditor. While the secretary of state race features no contested primaries, the Republican incumbents are heavily favored in rest of the offices though the education and auditor posts are without incumbents this cycle.
In the one contested Democratic primary, governor candidate Ryan Busse is expected to advance to face incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte.
Two of the spots on the state Supreme Court are also up for grabs, and the court’s clerk job is also on the ballot. In that contest, incumbent Republican Bowen Greenwood squares off against Senate President Jason Ellsworth in the GOP primary and will face Democrat Erin Farris-Olsen in the general.
Holly Michels is the head of the Montana State News Bureau. You can reach her at holly.michels@lee.net
