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Good morning. A narrow win in a local House District got even narrower after provisional ballots were counted this week. Plus, we have details on the Zimmerman Trail closure, a possible measles exposure, the superintendent’s proposed 31% raise and the West High Bears’ recent domination in Class AA football.
But first, a weather preview ☀️
It’s looking like another gorgeous, mild fall weekend in Billings. The National Weather Service forecasts highs in the 60s and overnight lows down to 35 with some light winds.
Legislator’s narrow lead shrinks after provisional ballots counted
One of the state’s closest legislative races got even closer after provisional ballots were counted Monday afternoon at the Yellowstone County Elections Office.
Provisional ballots are for issues that can’t be fixed in time for counting on Election Day. Examples include mismatched signatures, missing signatures or votes from people who moved from elsewhere in Montana and haven’t yet been verified as not voting in another county.
Incumbent Republican Rep. Curtis Schomer, R-Billings, had a lead of 32 votes over Democratic challenger Tucker Colvin going into the provisional ballot count. After those ballots were processed, his margin of victory narrowed to just 18 votes.
As close as the race was, Yellowstone County Elections Administrator Dayna Causby said it fell outside the bounds for a recount.
State law calls for an automatic recount in the event of a tie. When a candidate wins by 0.25% or less, they can request a recount, which is paid for by the county. When the winning margin is more than 0.25% but no more than 0.5%, candidates can request a recount but must pay the cost themselves.
Reached Wednesday, Colvin said he didn’t intend to pursue a recount even if it had been an option.
“I’m going to gracefully bow out,” he said.
Speaking Friday before the provisional ballots were counted, Schomer said he was surprised at how close the race was.
“I got to be honest with you: A lot of people didn’t show up to vote,” Schomer said.
This year, 3,502 people voted. In 2024, 4,489 did. It’s unclear how much the district grew between the two election cycles. The U.S. Census Bureau doesn’t track district-level population changes in non-Census years.
Schomer compared this year to his 2024 election, when he won with 57% of the vote, or a margin of 641 votes. He said people were “pretty frustrated right now” with politics at the national level, but if they had paid attention to “all of the good things that the Republicans here in Montana did for them, I think that would have helped a lot,” and potentially translated into a better winning margin for him.
For example, Schomer pointed to HB 336, which expanded professional licensing options for people who complete an apprenticeship, and HB 140, which provided property tax assistance for firefighters and law enforcement injured while working.
Colvin, the Democrat, said Friday it was “exciting how close” the vote was.
“I feel good with what we’ve been able to do in this race,” he said.
Colvin said he didn’t think the provisional ballot count was likely to change the outcome, but that he was grateful to his campaign volunteers for their work. Colvin said they asked voters what issues were their top concerns and tried “really learning from them as we” campaigned. Voters reported affordability and data centers were their top concerns, according to Colvin. He said voters mentioned property taxes, the governor’s proposed flat income tax, potential utility rate increases and environmental damage from data centers, more specifically.
“I think that voters saw that we really cared about the community,” he said.
Public health department identifies possible measles exposure
RiverStone Health, the city-county health department, announced this week that a person who tested positive for measles was at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital Sunday, Nov. 8, between 9:45 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Anyone who used the hospital’s main lobby elevator during that time was asked to contact the health department. Measles is highly contagious. The MMR vaccine typically protects people for life against measles and rubella, but immunity against mumps can decrease over time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Zimmerman Trail closed
The roadway between Rimrock Road and Highway 3 will be closed for three weeks while contractors stabilize a portion of sandstone. According to the city’s Public Works Department, more than 13,000 vehicles travel Zimmerman Trail every day. The closure will last from Nov. 9 through Nov. 30.
Glad You Asked 🙋
A reader inquired when the City Council would vote on potential increases in fines for improperly parking in wheelchair-accessible spots. In 2025, the Montana Legislature increased those penalties. The Billings City Council voted to adopt recommendations from the city parking manager to institute a new fine of $250 at its Oct. 26 meeting. Previously, the fine was $100. The new fee will take effect Nov. 25, according to the city clerk’s office.
Public Notice 🧐
School board to vote on 31% raise for superintendent📅 Monday, Nov. 16
⏰ 5:30 p.m.
📍415 N. 30th St., Lincoln Center boardroom
Board members will vote at their regular monthly meeting Monday on whether to increase Billings Public Schools Superintendent Erwin Garcia’s total compensation from $253,000 to $331,000. It’s a 31% increase, according to a fact sheet from the district. The Billings Education Association said in an opinion piece published in The Billings Gazette: “It is difficult to overstate the amount of frustration and concern this has caused our fellow educators. The trust that will be lost if this contract moves forward will take years to rebuild.”
About Town 🚶
At the Holiday Food and Gift Festival at MetraPark this Saturday and Sunday, you can buy anything from scarves made from Montana alpacas to Montana-shaped cutting boards to lavender pillow spray made from, yes, a Montana lavender farm. Admission is $5 at the door or $2 with a non-perishable food item or toiletry donation. Event details are available online.
The Yellowstone Portrait Painters will host a live model painting or sketch session Saturday at the Billings Public Library from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring your own supplies or use theirs.
The Billings Symphony Chorale will host its annual concert at the gorgeous St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. It’s the only standalone concert the choir gives all year. Tickets start at $20.
A favorite Thanksgiving tradition of many in Billings, the Run Turkey Run street race is open for registration. Most signups are $40, with discounts for certain age groups. Donations and net proceeds go to five local food pantries. In its first 15 years, the race has raised more than $500,000 for local hunger programs.
Game of the Week 🏆
The undefeated West High Bears are kicking butt and taking names. After trouncing Great Falls High last week 44-7, they’ll take on Gallatin High School Friday at 7 p.m. at Sam McDonald Stadium at Daylis in the Class AA semifinals. The state AA finals game – this year Nov. 20 – is typically the Friday before the Cat-Griz game.
