# List of third-party and independent performances in Montana state legislative elections

Hundreds of third-party, independent, and write-in candidates have run for state office in the state of Montana. Only candidates who achieved more than 5% of the vote are included.
General election returns before 1960 and in 1968 are currently unavailable.

## Candidate won seat
### State house

| Election | District | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Place | Ref |
| 2006 | 12 | | Constitution | Rick Jore | 2,045 | 55.45 / 100 | Elected 1st of 2 | |

## Candidate placed ahead of major party nominee
### State house

| Election | District | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Place |
| 2004 | 12 | Constitution | Rick Jore | 1,559 | 36.89 / 100 | 1st of 3 Tied with Democrat Beat Republican |
| 2002 | 73 | Constitution | Rick Jore | 1,339 | 42.87 / 100 | 2nd of 3 Beat Republican |
| 1980 | 53 | Independent | G. Kay Carpenter | 1,144 | 33.08 / 100 | 2nd of 3 Beat Republican |
| 1980 | 82 | Write-in | Bill Hand | 889 | 29.57 / 100 | 2nd of 3 Beat Democrat |

## Other candidates

In multi-winner elections, candidates' vote percentages are multiplied by the number of representative seats available.

### State senate

| Election | District | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Place |
| 2024 | 45 | Independent | Kelley Durbin-Williams | 1,001 | 7.81 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2020 | 36 | Libertarian | John Lamb | 2,706 | 20.45 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2020 | 45 | Libertarian | Devin Braaten | 581 | 5.06 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2018 | 1 | Libertarian | Austen Lee Nelson | 1,484 | 16.83 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2018 | 43 | Independent | Laura Garber | 4,274 | 37.94 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2016 | 39 | Libertarian | Dick Motta | 623 | 7.07 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2014 | 33 | Libertarian | Joan Stanley | 451 | 6.50 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2012 | 7 | Libertarian | John Marshall | 779 | 7.63 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2012 | 45 | Libertarian | Rob McCoy | 883 | 7.90 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2010 | 44 | Libertarian | Dan Cox | 1,047 | 11.92 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2008 | 6 | Constitution | M. Neal Donohue | 2,367 | 25.86 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2008 | 50 | Constitution | Kandi Matthew-Jenkins | 2,733 | 28.99 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2006 | 8 | Libertarian | Kandi Matthew-Jenkins | 970 | 17.85 / 100 | 2nd of 3 |
| 2006 | 8 | Independent | Long Standing Bear Chief | 618 | 11.37 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2006 | 11 | Constitution | Johnathan Martin | 1,032 | 17.78 / 100 | 2nd of 3 |
| 2006 | 11 | Libertarian | Mike Kaszula | 480 | 8.27 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2004 | 6 | Constitution | Kurtis Oliverson | 462 | 5.07 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2004 | 38 | Independent | Timothy S. Presley | 1,668 | 24.06 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2000 | 19 | Reform | Dennis E. Sullivan Jr. | 1,330 | 18.99 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1998 | 23 | Natural Law | Rebecca Scott | 1,049 | 24.54 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1998 | 41 | Reform | James Rostorfer | 1,032 | 17.40 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1996 | 32 | Reform | Linda Lightfoot | 559 | 5.86 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1992 | 9 | Independent | Evert Gustafson | 872 | 12.81 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1982 | 11 | Libertarian | Mike Tanchek | 1.574 | 34.11 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1982 | 18 | Libertarian | Duncan Scott | 345 | 7.35 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1982 | 47 | Libertarian | Gary Palm | 629 | 10.38 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1980 | 27 | Independent | Gene Delaney | 607 | 8.35 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1980 | 41 | Independent | Douglas Allen | 2,312 | 33.34 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1976 | 29 | Independent | Tom Dailey | 1,531 | 30.99 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1974 | 23 | American | Harry Cameron | 362 | 5.97 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1970 | 27 (1-seat) | Independent | Larry McCarthy | 597 | 15.89 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |

### State house

| Election | District | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Place |
| 2024 | 51 | Independent | Janna Hafer | 2,309 | 42.58 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2024 | 76 | Libertarian | Elena Gagliano | 1,349 | 21.47 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2022 | 8 | Libertarian | Sid Daoud | 1,240 | 27.39 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2022 | 22 | Libertarian | Tony Rosales | 207 | 6.50 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2022 | 87 | Independent | Will Lovette Moore | 1,505 | 27.27 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2020 | 7 | Libertarian | Nicholas Ramlow | 260 | 5.38 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2020 | 13 | Libertarian | Cade Stiles | 493 | 7.32 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2020 | 20 | Libertarian | George Anthony Schultz | 762 | 15.08 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2020 | 37 | Libertarian | Jacob Kitson | 603 | 9.95 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2020 | 43 | Libertarian | Melody Benes | 1,496 | 29.62 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2020 | 62 | Libertarian | Francis Wendt | 2,079 | 25.97 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2020 | 64 | Libertarian | Doug Campbell | 450 | 5.20 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2020 | 67 | Libertarian | Andrew Schaefer | 363 | 5.18 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2020 | 80 | Libertarian | Ron Vandevender | 1,185 | 17.12 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2018 | 5 | Libertarian | Cindy Dyson | 1,734 | 30.87 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2018 | 7 | Libertarian | Sid Dauod | 1,440 | 31.35 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2018 | 10 | Libertarian | Bill Jones | 1,100 | 20.28 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2018 | 28 | Independent | Robert Sivertsen | 1,179 | 30.63 / 100 | 2nd of 3 |
| 2018 | 28 | Libertarian | Conor Burns | 401 | 10.41 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2018 | 30 | Libertarian | Kathryn G. H. Nicholes | 862 | 17.76 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2018 | 50 | Libertarian | Nathan McKenty | 190 | 5.33 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2018 | 61 | Libertarian | A. Alexander Fetto | 1,648 | 25.14 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2018 | 69 | Libertarian | Joshua-Luke O'Connor | 1,061 | 19.67 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2018 | 70 | Libertarian | Chris Richards | 1,048 | 18.25 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2018 | 71 | Libertarian | Michael White | 844 | 13.34 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2016 | 6 | Libertarian | Ian Wheeler | 313 | 5.49 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2016 | 10 | Independent | James H. Swanson | 1,516 | 26.98 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2016 | 43 | Libertarian | Josh Daniels | 334 | 7.68 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2016 | 57 | Libertarian | Andrew T. Forcier | 748 | 14.97 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2016 | 80 | Libertarian | Valerie Clague | 503 | 8.81 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2014 | 15 | Constitution | Joe Read | 775 | 42.62 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2014 | 54 | Libertarian | Jeffrey A. Hill | 207 | 8.81 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2014 | 74 | Independent | John Michael Driscoll | 1,274 | 43.97 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2014 | 94 | Independent | Gary Marbut | 1,700 | 49.30 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2012 | 3 | Libertarian | Shawn Guymon | 235 | 5.14 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2012 | 14 | Independent | Jessie Nichols | 1,053 | 21.52 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2012 | 26 | Libertarian | Tim Martin | 984 | 29.15 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2012 | 70 | Independent | Christopher Burke | 837 | 13.14 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2012 | 71 | Independent | Kim Miller | 2,481 | 42.83 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2012 | 84 | Libertarian | Scott Vandevender | 437 | 7.85 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2012 | 87 | Libertarian | Karen Fisher | 451 | 8.23 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2012 | 89 | Libertarian | Andy Elwell | 373 | 6.54 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2012 | 90 | Libertarian | Toby Martin | 1,315 | 27.01 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2010 | 3 | Independent | Shawn Guymon | 286 | 8.56 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2010 | 8 | Independent | Bill Jones | 294 | 10.53 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2010 | 11 | Green | Cheryl Wolfe | 1,052 | 24.97 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2010 | 22 | Constitution | Johnathan D. Martin | 259 | 11.73 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2010 | 84 | Libertarian | Ron Vandevender | 726 | 18.15 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2010 | 87 | Libertarian | Tobias Z. Martin | 769 | 17.65 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2010 | 88 | Constitution | Russ Vogel | 851 | 19.24 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2010 | 90 | Libertarian | Arlin Bird | 213 | 5.15 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2010 | 99 | Constitution | Kandi Matthew-Jenkins | 290 | 8.51 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2008 | 6 | Constitution | Timothy Martin | 321 | 5.18 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2008 | 22 | Constitution | Johnathan Martin | 788 | 24.58 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2008 | 56 | Independent | George Day | 2,000 | 36.98 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2006 | 1 | Constitution | Russell Brown | 172 | 5.14 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2006 | 2 | Constitution | Freeman Johnson | 209 | 5.40 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2006 | 3 | Constitution | Tad Rosenberry | 198 | 5.54 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2006 | 6 | Constitution | Rick Komenda | 574 | 11.91 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2006 | 13 | Independent | Gordon Hall | 257 | 5.60 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2006 | 23 | Constitution | Christopher Gregory | 682 | 26.92 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2006 | 35 | Constitution | Torry Fair MacLean | 663 | 17.08 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2006 | 96 | Constitution | Kandi Matthew-Jenkins | 188 | 5.12 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2004 | 7 | Constitution | Timothy R. Martin | 217 | 5.32 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2004 | 13 | Constitution | Kent Holtz | 259 | 6.10 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2004 | 22 | Constitution | Jonathan Martin | 219 | 6.90 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2004 | 23 | Constitution | Christopher Gregory | 548 | 18.84 / 100 | 2nd of 3 |
| 2004 | 23 | Green | Paul Stephens | 263 | 9.04 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2004 | 24 | Constitution | Philip N. DuPaul | 615 | 30.78 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2004 | 61 | Constitution | Joel Boniek | 409 | 8.03 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2004 | 69 | Independent | Mary Newman Hardin | 1,690 | 31.13 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2004 | 74 | Independent | Dave Stratton | 922 | 19.16 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2004 | 75 | Green | John McCracken | 454 | 12.01 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2004 | 76 | Independent | Bob Harper | 848 | 28.06 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2002 | 13 | Green | Christine C. Frazier | 96 | 5.08 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2002 | 14 | Green | Scott N. Proctor | 182 | 6.77 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2002 | 30 | Libertarian | Adam L. Forslund | 370 | 21.30 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2002 | 32 | Green | Kelly Pollington | 827 | 19.83 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2002 | 41 | Constitution | Kent Holtz | 122 | 10.74 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2002 | 42 | Constitution | Terry Poupa | 184 | 6.66 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2002 | 43 | Constitution | Jonathan D. Martin | 204 | 6.62 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2002 | 66 | Libertarian | John Jenkins | 369 | 15.11 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2002 | 69 | Independent | Greg Lind | 1,829 | 44.88 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2002 | 80 | Constitution | Gary E. Hall | 222 | 6.56 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2002 | 81 | Independent | Pete Zarnowski | 1,268 | 37.93 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2000 | 25 | Independent | Clayton Bryington | 366 | 7.78 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2000 | 38 | Reform | Kathryn R. Sullivan | 786 | 22.80 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2000 | 39 | Independent | Vanessa Martin | 629 | 12.63 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2000 | 40 | Reform | Dan Hutchings | 258 | 5.14 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2000 | 41 | Constitution | Johnathan D. Martin | 152 | 9.58 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2000 | 42 | Constitution | Terry M. Poupa | 756 | 22.13 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2000 | 46 | Constitution | Phillip N. DuPaul | 129 | 5.60 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2000 | 61 | Libertarian | Erik C. Jerde | 518 | 8.37 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2000 | 62 | Constitution | Lou Hatch | 274 | 5.93 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2000 | 66 | Constitution | Kandi Matthew-Jenkins | 698 | 19.90 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2000 | 67 | Constitution | Steve Larsen | 740 | 20.23 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2000 | 68 | Constitution | Larry D. Foust | 182 | 5.26 / 100 | 3rd of 4 |
| 2000 | 73 | Constitution | Rick Jore | 1,818 | 49.26 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2000 | 75 | Libertarian | Fred L. Fekete | 263 | 5.46 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 2000 | 77 | Constitution | Timothy Martin | 1,105 | 24.89 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 2000 | 81 | Reform | Jerome F. Johnson | 653 | 17.25 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1998 | 48 | Independent | Stephen White | 306 | 10.87 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1998 | 67 | Libertarian | Mike Fellows | 558 | 20.55 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1998 | 84 | Natural Law | Anne Scott Markle | 836 | 28.46 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1998 | 86 | Natural Law | Clay Stephens | 217 | 7.18 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1998 | 98 | Write-in | Bill Whitehead | 367 | 20.09 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1996 | 20 | Independent | Jim Bennett | 209 | 5.22 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1996 | 31 | Natural Law | Jane Stevens Pappin | 289 | 5.76 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1996 | 60 | Write-in | Jeanette McKee | 2,063 | 46.23 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1996 | 67 | Libertarian | Mike Fellows | 703 | 19.21 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1996 | 72 | Independent | Bill Meadows | 665 | 15.33 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1994 | 67 | Independent | Dez Freeman | 220 | 7.03 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1992 | 74 | Write-in | David Hoffman | 897 | 20.47 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1990 | 96 | Libertarian | Montayne John D. | 161 | 7.47 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1986 | 6 | Libertarian | Walter Deets | 296 | 7.39 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1984 | 1 | Libertarian | Mike Tanchek | 410 | 12.02 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1984 | 36 | Libertarian | Diane Stokes | 556 | 15.01 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1984 | 57 | Libertarian | Michael Wanger | 302 | 8.12 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1982 | 15 | Libertarian | Jeff L. Ross | 167 | 5.23 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1982 | 16 | Libertarian | Walter Deets | 405 | 9.01 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1982 | 58 | Write-in | Thomas R. Conroy | 1,646 | 46.26 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1982 | 70 | Libertarian | David Field | 188 | 5.01 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1982 | 83 | Libertarian | Gary Scheer | 745 | 20.18 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1982 | 86 | Libertarian | Michael A. Hall | 302 | 14.75 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1982 | 94 | Libertarian | Harley R. Harris | 355 | 16.84 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1982 | 96 | Libertarian | Chris Mullen | 194 | 7.55 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1982 | 98 | Libertarian | Brad Bardwell | 147 | 5.16 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1980 | 15 | Libertarian | Jeff L. Ross | 326 | 8.96 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1980 | 22 | Libertarian | Mike Tanchek | 1,174 | 40.84 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1980 | 39 | Libertarian | Charles N. Steele | 231 | 10.94 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1980 | 41 | Libertarian | William D. Jacobsen | 249 | 8.48 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1976 | 26 | Independent | Dale Bryson | 686 | 17.76 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1976 | 50 | Independent | Faye Hanson Christofferson | 452 | 12.79 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1976 | 58 | Independent | Dale Kindness | 610 | 23.64 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1976 | 68 | Independent | C. C. Custer | 361 | 11.27 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1976 | 71 | Independent | Don Scanlin | 567 | 14.30 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1976 | 75 | Independent | Douglas Rand | 999 | 23.16 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1976 | 87 | Independent | Tom Christie | 1,331 | 44.96 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1974 | 23 | Independent | Jack J. Nichols | 470 | 15.44 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1974 | 25 | Write-in | Ralph Morin | 686 | 29.34 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1974 | 58 | American | Ed Dobson | 348 | 15.58 / 100 | 3rd of 3 |
| 1974 | 88 | Write-in | Calla Shea | 121 | 7.32 / 100 | 2nd of 2 |
| 1972 | 14 (4-seat) | Independent | Frank R. Hewitt | 1,523 | 11.87 / 100 | 9th of 9 |
| 1970 | 23 (7-seat) | Independent | John Finnegan | 5,168 | 23.60 / 100 | 9th of 9 |
| 1966 | 13 (2-seat) | Independent | Carl Tysel | 821 | 15.17 / 100 | 5th of 5 |

## Candidates elected without detailed returns

Many more third-party candidates have served in the Montana State Legislature, but a lack of readily available election returns means it can not be easily proven that candidates were actually elected on third-party tickets rather than switching parties while in office.

### State senate

| Election | District | Party | Candidate |
| 1958 | Rosebud | Independent | R. C. Harken |
| 1948 | Prairie | Independent | Charles Brown |
| 1948 | Sweet Grass | Independent | Leo J. Cremer |
| 1932 | Golden Valley | Independent | Henry Thein |
| 1926 | Sheridan | Farmer–Labor | Charles E. Taylor |
| 1912 | Blaine | Progressive | L. B. Taylor |
| 1912 | Dawson | Progressive | J. M. Boardman |

### State house

| Election | District | Party | Candidate |
| 1958 | Deer Lodge (2-seat) | Independent Democrat | Owen P. McNally |
| 1958 | Custer (2-seat) | Independent | Andy W. Elting |
| 1946 | Beaverhead | Independent Democrat | George M. Melton |
| 1926 | Daniels | Farmer–Labor | James T. Sparling |
| 1926 | Sheridan (2-seat) | Farmer–Labor | Robert Larson |
| 1924 | Sheridan (2-seat) | Farmer–Labor | Robert Larson |
| 1924 | Sheridan (2-seat) | Farmer–Labor | A. T. Larsen |
| 1920 | Daniels | Independent | Fred Hansen |
| 1912 | Blaine | Progressive | John Collins |
| 1912 | Dawson (3-seat) | Progressive | E. E. Jordan |
| 1912 | Dawson (3-seat) | Progressive | Walter D. Kemmis |
| 1912 | Flathead (4-seat) | Progressive | A. L. Jordan |
| 1912 | Flathead (4-seat) | Progressive | H. T. Mayfield |
| 1912 | Hill | Progressive | F. A. Carnal |
| 1912 | Lincoln | Silver | Charles H. Connor |
| 1912 | Missoula (4-seat) | Progressive | J. B. Henley |
| 1912 | Ravalli (2-seat) | Progressive | George A. Blair |
| 1912 | Ravalli (2-seat) | Progressive | Charles MacRae |
| 1912 | Rosebud (2-seat) | Progressive | John Davidson |
| 1912 | [data missing] | Progressive | 6 others |