69th Montana Legislature
| 69th Montana Legislature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Overview | |||
| Legislative body | Montana Legislature | ||
| Jurisdiction | Montana, United States | ||
| Meeting place | Montana State Capitol | ||
| Term | 2025 | ||
| Website | legmt.gov | ||
| Montana State Senate | |||
| Members | 50 Senators | ||
| Senate President | Matt Regier (R) | ||
| Majority Leader | Tom McGillvray (R) | ||
| Minority Leader | Pat Flowers (D) | ||
| Party control | Republican Party of Montana | ||
| Montana House of Representatives | |||
| Members | 100 Representatives | ||
| Speaker of the House | Brandon Ler (R) | ||
| Majority Leader | Steve Fitzpatrick (R) | ||
| Minority Leader | Katie Sullivan (D) | ||
| Party control | Republican Party of Montana | ||
The 69th Montana Legislature was the legislative session of the Montana Legislature that convened on January 6, 2025 and adjourned sine die April 30, 2025.[1] While there was a republican majority in both chambers, the session was notable for a Senate coalition of 18 Democrats and 9 moderate Republicans, dubbed "the nine,” which created a 27-23 working majority in the Senate that blocked a number of Republican efforts.[2]
The Montana Republican party censured the nine Republican Senators, Jason Ellsworth, Butch Gillespie, Gregg Hunter, Joshua Kassmier, Gayle Lammers, Denley Loge, Wendy McKamey, Russel Tempel, and Shelley Vance. In response, Eight of the nine, (excepting Ellsworth), wrote an open letter to the citizens of Montana, stating “ We were elected to serve you, not to follow orders from political insiders.”.[3]
Events
On March 3, Representative Ron Marshall resigned, citing critiques over the influence of lobbyists on the Legislature. Former county commissioner Terry Nelson was appointed March 10 to replace him.[4]
On June 16, Representative Marta Bertoglio resigned after being appointed to lead the state's commerce department. Contractor Mark Reinschmidt was appointed July 22 to replace her.[5]
Senate
Leaders
| Position | Name | Party |
|---|---|---|
| President of the Senate | Matt Regier | Republican |
| President pro tempore | Kenneth Bogner | Republican |
| Majority Leader | Tom McGillvray | Republican |
| Majority Whips | Dennis Lenz | Republican |
| Barry Usher | Republican | |
| Sue Vinton | Republican | |
| Daniel Zolnikov | Republican | |
| Minority Leader | Pat Flowers | Democratic |
| Minority Whips | Shane Morigeau | Democratic |
| Laura Smith | Democratic | |
| Susan Webber | Democratic |
Senate Members
- *Senator was originally appointed before the start of the 69th session
House
Leaders
| Office | Representative | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker of the House | Brandon Ler | Republican |
| Speaker pro tempore | Katie Zolnikov | Republican |
| Majority Leader | Steve Fitzpatrick | Republican |
| Majority Whips | Marta Bertoglio | Republican |
| Jed Hinkle | Republican | |
| Braxton Mitchell | Republican | |
| Amy Regier | Republican | |
| Minority Leader | Katie Sullivan | Democratic |
| Minority Whips | SJ Howell | Democratic |
| Jonathan Karlen | Democratic | |
| Melissa Romano | Democratic | |
| Tyson Running Wolf | Democratic |
House Members
| District | Representative | Party | Residence | First elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neil Duram | Republican | Libby | 2018 |
| 2 | Tom Millett | Republican | Marion | 2024 |
| 3 | Debo Powers | Democratic | Whitefish | 2024 |
| 4 | Lyn Bennet | Republican | Columbia Falls | 2024 |
| 5 | Braxton Mitchell | Republican | Columbia Falls | 2020 |
| 6 | Amy Regier | Republican | Kalispell | 2020 |
| 7 | Courtenay Sprunger | Republican | Kalispell | 2022 |
| 8 | Lukas Schubert | Republican | Kalispell | 2024 |
| 9 | Steven Kelly | Republican | Kalispell | 2024 |
| 10 | Terry Falk | Republican | Kalispell | 2022 |
| 11 | Ed Byrne | Republican | Bigfork | 2024 |
| 12 | Tracy Sharp | Republican | Polson | 2024 |
| 13 | Linda Reksten | Republican | Polson | 2020 |
| 14 | Paul Fielder | Republican | Thompson Falls | 2020 |
| 15 | Thedis Crowe | Democratic | Browning | 2024 |
| 16 | Tyson Running Wolf | Democratic | Browning | 2018 |
| 17 | Zachary Wirth | Republican | Wolf Creek | 2024 |
| 18 | Llew Jones | Republican | Conrad | 2018 |
| 19 | Jane Weber | Democratic | Great Falls | 2024 |
| 20 | Melissa Nikolakakos | Republican | Great Falls | 2024 |
| 21 | Edward Buttrey | Republican | Great Falls | 2018 |
| 22 | George Nikolakakos | Republican | Great Falls | 2022 |
| 23 | Eric Tilleman | Republican | Cascade | 2024 |
| 24 | Steve Fitzpatrick | Republican | Great Falls | 2024 |
| 25 | Steve Gist | Republican | Cascade | 2020 |
| 26 | Russ Miner | Republican | Great Falls | 2022 |
| 27 | Paul Tuss | Democratic | Havre | 2022 |
| 28 | Eric Albus | Republican | Glasgow | 2024 |
| 29 | Valerie Moore | Republican | Plentywood | 2024 |
| 30 | Morgan Thiel | Republican | Sidney | 2024 |
| 31 | Frank Smith | Democratic | Poplar | 2020 |
| 32 | Mike Fox | Democratic | Hays | 2024 |
| 33 | Brandon Ler | Republican | Savage | 2020 |
| 34 | Jerry Schillinger | Republican | Circle | 2020 |
| 35 | Gary Parry | Republican | Colstrip | 2022 |
| 36 | Greg Kmetz | Republican | Miles City | 2022 |
| 37 | Shane Klakken | Republican | Grass Range | 2024 |
| 38 | Greg Oblander | Republican | Billings | 2022 |
| 39 | Kerri Seekins-Crowe | Republican | Billings | 2020 |
| 40 | Mike Vinton | Republican | Billings | 2024 |
| 41 | Jade Sooktis | Democratic | Lame Deer | 2024 |
| 42 | Sidney “Chip” Fitzpatrick | Democratic | Crow Agency | 2024 |
| 43 | Larry Brewster | Republican | Billings | 2020 |
| 44 | Katie Zolnikov | Republican | Billings | 2020 |
| 45 | Denise Baum | Democratic | Billings | 2022 |
| 46 | Denise Joy | Democratic | Billings | 2024* |
| 47 | James Reavis | Democratic | Billings | 2024 |
| 48 | Curtis Schomer | Republican | Billings | 2024 |
| 49 | Sherry Essmann | Republican | Billings | 2022 |
| 50 | Anthony Nicastro | Republican | Billings | 2024 |
| 51 | Jodee Etchart | Republican | Billings | 2022 |
| 52 | Bill Mercer | Republican | Billings | 2018 |
| Stacy Zinn | Republican | Billings | 2025* | |
| 53 | Nelly Nicol | Republican | Billings | 2022 |
| 54 | Lee Deming | Republican | Laurel | 2022 |
| 55 | Brad Barker | Republican | Red Lodge | 2022 |
| 56 | Fiona Nave | Republican | Columbus | 2020 |
| 57 | Scott Rosenzweig | Democratic | Bozeman | 2024 |
| 58 | Jamie Isaly | Democratic | Bozeman | 2024 |
| 59 | Ed Stafman | Democratic | Bozeman | 2020 |
| Katie Fire Thunder | Democratic | Bozeman | 2025* | |
| 60 | Alanah Griffith | Democratic | Big Sky | 2024 |
| 61 | Becky Edwards | Democratic | Bozeman | 2024 |
| 62 | Joshua Seckinger | Democratic | Bozeman | 2024 |
| 63 | Peter Strand | Democratic | Bozeman | 2024 |
| 64 | Kelly Kortum | Democratic | Bozeman | 2020 |
| 65 | Brian Close | Democratic | Bozeman | 2024 |
| 66 | Eric Matthews | Democratic | Bozeman | 2022 |
| 67 | Jedediah Hinkle | Republican | Belgrade | 2020 |
| 68 | Caleb Hinkle | Republican | Belgrade | 2020 |
| 69 | Kenneth Walsh | Republican | Twin Bridges | 2020 |
| 70 | Shannon Maness | Republican | Dillon | 2024 |
| 71 | Scott DeMarois | Democratic | Anaconda | 2024 |
| 72 | Donavon Hawk | Democratic | Butte | 2020 |
| 73 | Jennifer Lynch | Democratic | Butte | 2022 |
| 74 | Marc Lee | Democratic | Butte | 2024 |
| 75 | Marta Bertoglio | Republican | Clancy | 2020 |
| Mark Reinschmidt | Republican | Whitehall | 2025* | |
| 76 | John Fitzpatrick | Republican | Anaconda | 2022 |
| 77 | Jane Gillette | Republican | Three Forks | 2020 |
| 78 | Randyn Gregg | Republican | White Sulphur Springs | 2024 |
| 79 | Luke Muszkiewicz | Democratic | Helena | 2024 |
| 80 | Melissa Romano | Democratic | Helena | 2022 |
| 81 | Mary Caferro | Democratic | Helena | 2022 |
| 82 | Pete Elverum | Democratic | Helena | 2024 |
| 83 | Jill Cohenour | Democratic | Helena | 2022 |
| 84 | Julie Dooling | Republican | Helena | 2024 |
| 85 | Kathy Love | Republican | Hamilton | 2024 |
| 86 | David Bedey | Republican | Hamilton | 2018 |
| 87 | Ron Marshall | Republican | Stevensville | 2021 |
| Terry Nelson | Republican | 2025* | ||
| 88 | Greg Overstreet | Republican | Stevensville | 2024 |
| 89 | Mark Thane | Democratic | Missoula | 2020 |
| 90 | Curtis Cochran | Republican | St. Regis | 2024 |
| 91 | Shelly Fyant | Democratic | Arlee | 2024 |
| 92 | Connie Keogh | Democratic | Missoula | 2018 |
| 93 | Katie Sullivan | Democratic | Missoula | 2018 |
| 94 | Marilyn Marler | Democratic | Missoula | 2018 |
| 95 | Zooey Zephyr | Democratic | Missoula | 2022 |
| 96 | Bob Carter | Democratic | Missoula | 2022 |
| 97 | Melody Cunningham | Democratic | Missoula | 2024 |
| 98 | Jonathan Karlen | Democratic | Missoula | 2022 |
| 99 | Tom France | Democratic | Missoula | 2020 |
| 100 | SJ Howell | Democratic | Missoula | 2022 |
- *Representative was appointed
See also
References
- ^ Szpaller, Micah Drew, Keila (2025-01-07). "Montana's 69th Legislature ready to do business • Daily Montanan". Daily Montanan. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Browning, Kellen; Warasila, Will (2025-05-03). "In Montana, a Rare Sight: Republicans and Democrats Voting Together". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ Downing, Suzanne (2025-04-23). "Montana Republican Party censures nine Republican senators for abandoning party's legislative majority". Must Read Alaska. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ "Rep. Marshall resigns, Republicans wrangle over replacement, Nelson appointed". Bitterroot Star. 2025-03-12. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ^ "Jefferson County officials pick metal artist Mark Reinschmidt as new House District 75 rep". Eastern Progress. 2025-07-22. Retrieved 2025-07-25.