This story was updated at 7:04 p.m. with new developments.
As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the time is up. Candidates who failed to file with the Secretary of State’s office in Montana lost their chance to appear on the 2026 election ballot. But many candidates did, indeed, get their paperwork in.
Legislative filings piled up this week along with some intriguing developments in federal races. Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke’s announced retirement triggered a rush by Republicans to replace him. Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar made his independent campaign against U.S. Sen. Steve Daines official by filing to gather ballot-qualifying signatures. U.S. Sen Steve Daines withdrew his candidate registration Wednesday as time ran out.
At least 22 Republican incumbents for state Legislature and three Democrats are facing challengers. Here is a look at some of the most potentially contentious, intriguing state races:
Gallatin Valley: Vance vs. HINKLE
In the state Senate, veteran Republican candidate Shelley Vance, of Belgrade, is being challenged by Caleb Hinkle, of Belgrade, in Senate District 34. Vance was one of nine Republican lawmakers in the Senate who broke with her party to pass key pieces of legislation, including property tax relief for primary residences and rental properties, a vote that angered hardliners because taxes were allowed to increase on second homes. Vance was the only incumbent in the group of nine lawmakers up for reelection this year. She was singled out months ago by 2025 Republican Senate President Matt Regier, of Kalispell, who lost control of his caucus on the very first day of the Legislature as moderates broke away.
Hinkle, who currently represents Belgrade in the House, filed for Senate District 34 six minutes before the filing deadline. Randy Chamberlin, of Bozeman, withdrew from the race.
In June, Republicans at the state officers convention voted to disenfranchise the nine Senate lawmakers from selecting new party leadership. After the exclusion, the party elected leaders who promised to make the GOP more conservative. Vance is one of three lawmakers who sued over the disenfranchisement.
Northcentral Montana: Llew Jones vs. Zack Wirth
Republican state budget architect Llew Jones, of Conrad, will face off against Zack Wirth, of Wolf Creek. Both men are state House members attempting to jump to the Senate.
Jones has been the target of a months-long anonymous attack campaign that’s bombarded northcentral Montanans with robocalls, mailers and attack ads on streaming services, like Amazon and Hulu. Anonymous attacks are illegal during the 60 days before an election, but Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus determined last summer that nothing could be regulated earlier than 60 days.
Hamilton: David Bedey vs. Kathy Love
In Hamilton, David Bedey, a moderate Republican instrumental in state budgeting, will also face a battle as he attempts to cross to the state Senate. His challenger is Kathy Love, a member of the hardline Montana Freedom Caucus, which is part of the state Freedom Caucus Network, an organization created by former Trump advisor Mark Meadows. The network says on its website that it’s concerned about election integrity and opposing the adoption of critical race theory in schools.
Great Falls: Randy Pinocci vs. George Nikolakakos
In Great Falls, self-proclaimed RINO hunter Randy Pinocci is squaring off against moderate George Nikolakakos in Senate District 12. Incumbent Wendy McKamey is recovering from a stroke that occurred nine months ago and chose not to run. She returned to interim committee work last September.
Great Falls: Steven Galloway vs. Ed Buttrey
Also in Great Falls, Republicans Steven Galloway and Ed Buttrey are competing to replace Freedom Caucus member Daniel Emrich in Senate District 11. Both candidates are veteran campaigners. Galloway’s wife, Lola, was part of a state Republican leadership effort to censure Senate moderates. Lola Sheldon-Galloway testified this summer that she wanted the moderates expelled from the state organization.
Southeast Montana: Schillinger v. Ellsworth
In the House, Republican Jason Ellsworth, the 2023 Senate President, is challenging incumbent Republican Jerry Schillinger, a member of the Montana Freedom Caucus in House District 34. Ellsworth as the target of a 2025 legislative session ethics investigation into a government contract he attempted to award to a friend. He was censured by his peers and later charged with misdemeanor official misconduct. The charge hasn’t been decided. The drama consumed the 2025 Senate and stemmed from an anonymous hotline tip placed by current Senate President Regier and Rhonda Knudsen, mother of Attorney General Austin Knudsen.
There are 20 contested Republican primaries in the state House, including a challenge to House Speaker Brandon Ler, of Savage, by former legislator Ric Holden, of Glendive.
Bozeman: Kelly Kortum vs. Becky Edwards
Democrats have two contested Senate races. In Bozeman, House members Kelly Kortum and Becky Edwards are in a three way primary with outdoor writer Wes Siler. The three are competing to replace Democrat Denise Hayman in Senate District 33.
Three incumbent Democrats do have challengers.
BILLINGS: EMMA KERR-CARPENTER VS. JUSTIN F. KUCERA
Incumbent Emma Kerr-Carpenter, D-Billings, is being challenged by Justin F. Kucera in Billings Senate District 23. Kerr-Carpenter voted against the property tax relief bill advanced by Senate Democrats in collaboration with moderate Senate Republicans.
BILLINGS: DENISE JOY VS. ERIN R. TATE
Incumbent Denise Joy, D-Billings, who was appointed to the House District 47 by the Yellowstone County Commission in late 2024, is being challenged by Erin R. Tate.
ARLEE: SHELLY FYANT VS RUSTIN BIELSKI
Incumbent Shelly Fyant, D-Arlee, is being challenged by Rustin Bielski for House District 91.
Helena: Erin Farris-Olsen vs. Dana Toole
Democrats Erin Farris-Olsen and Dana Toole are competing in Senate District 41, currently held by Democrat Janet Ellis. Ellis is term-limited out of the Senate and is running in a three-way primary race for House.
This story was updated to reflect that Daniel Emrich is not term limited. It was also updated to replace Randy Chamberlin with Caleb Hinkle as a candidate for Senate District 34.
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