# 2016 Montana Senate election

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An election was held on November 8, 2016, to elect 25 members to Montana's Senate. The election coincided with elections for other offices, including the Presidency, U.S. House of Representatives, Governorship, and state house. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016.

## Results summary

| Party | Party | Candi- dates | Votes | Votes | Seats | Seats | Seats |
| Party | Party | Candi- dates | No. | % | No. | +/– | % |
| | Republican Party | 23 | 143,936 | 59.52% | 32 | 3 | 64 |
| | Democratic Party | 21 | 97,280 | 40.22% | 18 | 3 | 36 |
| | Libertarian Party | 1 | 623 | 0.26% | 0 | | 0 |
| | Write-in | 1 | 2 | 0.001% | 0 | | 0 |
| Total | Total | 46 | 241,841 | 100% | 50 | | 100 |
Popular vote
Republican
59.517%
Democratic
40.225%
Libertarian
0.258%
Write-in
0.001% :
Senate seats
Republican
64%
Democratic
36% :

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Safe R | October 12, 2016 |

## Summary of results by State Senate District

| State Senate District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| Montana 2 | Dee Brown | Rep | Dee Brown | Rep |
| Montana 3 | Bruce Tutvedt | Rep | Keith Regier | Rep |
| Montana 6 | Janna Taylor | Rep | Albert Olszewski | Rep |
| Montana 7 | Jennifer Fielder | Rep | Jennifer Fielder | Rep |
| Montana 10 | Rick Ripley | Rep | Steve Fitzpatrick | Rep |
| Montana 15 | Brad Hamlett | Dem | Ryan Osmundson | Rep |
| Montana 16 | Jonathan Windy Boy | Dem | Frank Smith | Dem |
| Montana 17 | John Brenden | Rep | Mike Lang | Rep |
| Montana 18 | Matt Rosendale | Rep | Steve Hinebauch | Rep |
| Montana 21 | Sharon Stewart-Peregoy | Dem | Jason Small | Rep |
| Montana 23 | Roger Webb | Rep | Roger Webb | Rep |
| Montana 25 | Robyn Driscoll | Dem | Jen Gross | Dem |
| Montana 26 | Elsie Arntzen | Rep | Margaret MacDonald | Dem |
| Montana 28 | Taylor Brown | Rep | Tom Richmond | Rep |
| Montana 31 | Mike Phillips | Dem | Mike Phillips | Dem |
| Montana 35 | Scott Sales | Rep | Scott Sales | Rep |
| Montana 36 | Debby Barrett | Rep | Jeff Welborn | Rep |
| Montana 37 | Jon Sesso | Dem | Jon Sesso | Dem |
| Montana 38 | Jim Keane | Dem | Edith McClafferty | Dem |
| Montana 39 | Gene Vuckovich | Dem | Gene Vuckovich | Dem |
| Montana 40 | Christine Kaufmann | Dem | Terry Gauthier | Rep |
| Montana 44 | Fred Thomas | Rep | Fred Thomas | Rep |
| Montana 45 | Dick Barrett | Dem | Dick Barrett | Dem |
| Montana 46 | Sue Malek | Dem | Sue Malek | Dem |
| Montana 47 | Cliff Larsen | Dem | Dan Salomon | Rep |

## Detailed Results
### Districts 2–25
#### District 2

Incumbent Republican Dee Brown has represented the 2nd district since 2013.
Montana Senate 2nd district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dee Brown (incumbent) | 7,961 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,961 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 3

Incumbent Republican Bruce Tutvedt has represented the 3rd district since 2009. Tutvedt was term-limited and couldn't seek re-election. State Representative Keith Regier won the open seat.
Montana Senate 3rd district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Keith Regier | 6,511 | 56.83% |
| | Democratic | Melissa L. Hartman | 4,946 | 43.17% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,457 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 6

Incumbent Republican Janna Taylor has represented the 6th district since 2013. Taylor didn't seek re-election. State Representative Albert Olszewski won the open seat.
Montana Senate 6th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Albert Olszewski | 7,370 | 72.03% |
| | Democratic | Rolf Harmsen | 2,862 | 27.97% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,232 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 7

Incumbent Republican Jennifer Fielder has represented the 7th district since 2013.
Montana Senate 7th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jennifer Fielder (incumbent) | 6,761 | 67.19% |
| | Democratic | Mark Sheets | 3,300 | 32.79% |
| | Independent | Glenn Ferren (write-in) | 2 | 0.02% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,063 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 10

Incumbent Rick Ripley has represented the 10th district since 2009. Ripley was term-limited and couldn't seek re-election.
Montana Senate 10th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Fitzpatrick | 7,851 | 76.95% |
| | Democratic | Deborah L. Magin | 2,352 | 23.05% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,203 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 15

Incumbent Democrat Brad Hamlett has represented the 15th district since 2009. Hamlett was term-limited and he successfully ran for the Montana house. Republican state representative Ryan Osmundson won the open seat.
Montana Senate district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ryan Osmundson | 7,806 | 76.85% |
| | Democratic | Sean McConnaha | 2,351 | 23.15% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,157 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 16

Incumbent Democrat Jonathan Windy Boy has represented the 16th district since 2009. Windy Boy was term-limited and he successfully ran for the Montana house. Former state Senator Frank Smith won the open seat.
Montana Senate 16th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Frank Smith | 3,752 | 57.41% |
| | Republican | G. Bruce Meyers | 2,783 | 42.59% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,535 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 17

Incumbent Republican John Brenden has represented the 17th district since 2009. Brenden was term-limited and couldn't seek re-election.
Montana Senate 17th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mike Lang | 7,732 | 77.73% |
| | Democratic | Douglas Adolphson | 2,215 | 22.27% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,947 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 18

Incumbent Republican Matt Rosendale has represented the 18th district since 2013. Rosendale retired and successfully ran for state auditor.
Montana Senate 18th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Hinebauch | 8,531 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,531 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 21

Incumbent Democrat Sharon Stewart-Peregoy has represented the 21st district since 2009. Stewart-Peregoy was term-limited and she successfully ran for the Montana house.
Montana Senate 21st district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jason Small | 3,277 | 51.49% |
| | Democratic | Carolyn Pease-Lopez | 3,087 | 48.51% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,364 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 23

Incumbent Republican Roger Webb has represented the 23rd district since 2013.
Montana Senate 23rd district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Roger Webb (incumbent) | 6,652 | 66.15% |
| | Democratic | Paul J. Van Tricht | 3,404 | 33.85% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,056 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 25

Incumbent Democrat Robyn Driscoll has represented the 25th district and its predecessors since 2013. Driscoll didn't seek re-election.
Montana Senate 25th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jen Gross | 3,591 | 50.68% |
| | Republican | Donna Huston | 3,495 | 49.32% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,086 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Districts 26–47
#### District 26

Incumbent Republican Elsie Arntzen has represented the 26th district and its predecessors since 2013. Arntzen retired to run for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction. Democratic state representative Margaret MacDonald won the open seat.
Montana Senate 26th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Margaret MacDonald | 7,658 | 50.14% |
| | Republican | Donald Roberts | 7,614 | 49.86% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,272 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

#### District 28

Incumbent Republican Taylor Brown has represented the 28th district since 2009. Brown was term-limited and couldn't seek re-election.
Montana Senate 28th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Richmond | 5,743 | 66.92% |
| | Democratic | Deborah Abbey | 2,839 | 33.08% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,582 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 31

Incumbent Democrat Mike Phillips has represented the 31st district since 2013.
Montana Senate 31st district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Phillips (incumbent) | 10,295 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,295 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 35

Incumbent Republican Scott Sales has represented the 35th district and its predecessors since 2013.
Montana Senate 35th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Scott Sales (incumbent) | 9,408 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,408 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 36

Incumbent Republican Senate President Debby Barrett has represented the 36th district since 2009. Barrett was term-limited and couldn't seek re-election.
Montana Senate 36th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Welborn | 9,785 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,785 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 37

Incumbent Democrat Minority Leader Jon Sesso has represented the 37th district since 2013.
Montana Senate 37th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jon Sesso (incumbent) | 7,244 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,244 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 38

Incumbent Democrat Jim Keane has represented the 38th district since 2009. Keane was term-limited and he successfully ran for the Montana house. State representative Edith McClafferty won the open seat.
Montana Senate 38th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Edith McClafferty | 6,113 | 53.50% |
| | Republican | Glenn J. Rosenbaum | 5,314 | 46.50% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,427 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 39

Incumbent Democrat Gene Vuckovich has represented the 39th district since 2011.
Montana Senate 39th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gene Vuckovich (incumbent) | 4,686 | 53.23% |
| | Republican | Suzzann Nordwick | 3,494 | 39.69% |
| | Libertarian | Dick Motta | 623 | 7.08% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,803 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 40

Incumbent Democrat Christine Kaufmann has represented the 40th district since 2007. Kaufmann was term-limited and couldn't seek re-election.
Montana Senate 40th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Terry Gauthier | 6,135 | 52.69% |
| | Democratic | Hal Jacobson | 5,509 | 47.31% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,644 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

#### District 44

Incumbent Republican Majority Leader Fred Thomas has represented the 44th district since 2013.
Montana Senate 44th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Fred Thomas (incumbent) | 7,614 | 70.03% |
| | Democratic | James R. Olsen | 3,258 | 29.97% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,872 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 45

Incumbent Democrat Dick Barrett has represented the 45th district and its predecessors since 2013.
Montana Senate 45th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dick Barrett (incumbent) | 6,372 | 64.82% |
| | Republican | Sashin Hume | 3,459 | 35.18% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,831 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 46

Incumbent Democrat Sue Malek has represented the 46th district since 2013.
Montana Senate 46th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sue Malek (incumbent) | 7,003 | 64.80% |
| | Republican | Adam S. Pummill | 3,804 | 35.20% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,807 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 47

Incumbent Democrat Cliff Larsen has represented the 47th district since 2009. Larsen was term-limited and couldn't seek re-election. Republican state representative Dan Salomon won the open seat.
Montana Senate 47th district general election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dan Salomon | 4,836 | 52.12% |
| | Democratic | Tom France | 4,443 | 47.88% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,279 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |