# 2018 Montana Senate election

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An election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect 25 members to Montana's Senate. The election coincided with elections for other offices, including the U.S Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and state house. The primary election was held on June 2, 2018.

## Results summary

| Party | Party | Candi- dates | Votes | Votes | Seats | Seats | Seats |
| Party | Party | Candi- dates | No. | % | No. | +/– | % |
| | Republican Party | 23 | 128,760 | 54.76% | 30 | 2 | 60 |
| | Democratic Party | 21 | 99,828 | 42.45% | 20 | 2 | 40 |
| | Independent | 1 | 4,274 | 1.82% | 0 | | 0 |
| | Libertarian Party | 5 | 2,292 | 0.97% | 0 | | 0 |
| Total | Total | 50 | 235,154 | 100% | 50 | | 100 |
Senate seats
Republican
60%
Democratic
40% :
Popular vote
Republican
54.756%
Democratic
42.452%
Independent
1.818%
Libertarian
0.975% :

### Close races

Districts where the margin of victory was under 10%:
* District 14, 1.48%
* District 12, 2.9%
* District 49, 3.18%
* District 32, 3.59% gain
* District 24, 7.98%
* District 30, 8.84%
* District 13, 9.26%

### Incumbents defeated in the primary election

* Pat Connell (R-District 43), defeated by Jason Ellsworth (R)

### Incumbents defeated in the general election

* Jedediah Hinkle (R-District 32), defeated by Pat Flowers (D)

### Open seats that changed parties

* Edward Buttrey (R-District 11) was term-limited, seat won by Tom Jacobson (D)

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Safe R | October 8, 2018 |

## Summary of results by state senate district

| State senate district | Incumbent | Party | Elected senator | Party |
| Montana 1 | Chas Vincent | Rep | Mike Cuffe | Rep |
| Montana 4 | Mark Blasdel | Rep | Mark Blasdel | Rep |
| Montana 5 | Bob Keenan | Rep | Bob Keenan | Rep |
| Montana 8 | Lea Whitford | Dem | Susan Webber | Dem |
| Montana 9 | Llew Jones | Rep | Bruce Gillespie | Rep |
| Montana 11 | Edward Buttrey | Rep | Tom Jacobson | Dem |
| Montana 12 | Carlie Boland | Dem | Carlie Boland | Dem |
| Montana 13 | Brian Hoven | Rep | Brian Hoven | Rep |
| Montana 14 | Russel Tempel | Rep | Russel Tempel | Rep |
| Montana 19 | Eric Moore | Rep | Kenneth Bogner | Rep |
| Montana 20 | Duane Ankney | Rep | Duane Ankney | Rep |
| Montana 22 | Douglas Kary | Rep | Douglas Kary | Rep |
| Montana 24 | Mary McNally | Dem | Mary McNally | Dem |
| Montana 27 | Cary Smith | Rep | Cary Smith | Rep |
| Montana 29 | David Howard | Rep | David Howard | Rep |
| Montana 30 | Nels Swandal | Rep | John Esp | Rep |
| Montana 32 | Jedediah Hinkle | Rep | Pat Flowers | Dem |
| Montana 33 | Jennifer Pomnichowski | Dem | Jennifer Pomnichowski | Dem |
| Montana 34 | Gordon Vance | Rep | Gordon Vance | Rep |
| Montana 41 | Mary Caferro | Dem | Janet Ellis | Dem |
| Montana 42 | Jill Cohenour | Dem | Jill Cohenour | Dem |
| Montana 43 | Pat Connell | Rep | Jason Ellsworth | Rep |
| Montana 48 | Nate McConnell | Dem | Nate McConnell | Dem |
| Montana 49 | Diane Sands | Dem | Diane Sands | Dem |
| Montana 50 | Tom Facey | Dem | Bryce Bennett | Dem |

## Detailed results
### Districts 1–22
#### District 1

Incumbent Republican Chas Vincent had represented the 1st district since 2011. Vincent was term-limited and could not seek re-election.
Montana Senate 1st district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mike Cuffe | 7,333 | 83.17% |
| | Libertarian | Austen Lee Nelson | 1,484 | 16.83% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,817 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 4

Incumbent Republican Mark Blasdel had represented the 4th district since 2014.
Montana Senate 4th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Blasdel (incumbent) | 5,626 | 64.50% |
| | Democratic | Diane Taylor-Manhke | 3,097 | 35.50% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,723 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 5

Incumbent Republican Bob Keenan had represented the 4th district since 2015.
Montana Senate 5th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bob Keenan (incumbent) | 8,048 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,048 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 8

Incumbent Democrat Lea Whitford had represented the 8th district since 2015. Whitford did not seek re-election.
Montana Senate 8th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Susan Webber | 5,443 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,443 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 9

Incumbent Republican Llew Jones had represented the 9th district since 2011. Jones was term-limited and successfully ran for a seat in the state house.
Montana Senate 9th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bruce Gillespie | 6,347 | 73.25% |
| | Democratic | Kurt J. Dyer | 2,318 | 26.75% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,665 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 11

Incumbent Republican Edward Buttrey had represented the 11th district and its predecessors since 2011. Buttrey was term-limited and successfully ran for a seat in the state house. State Representative Tom Jacobson, a Democrat, won the open seat.
Montana Senate 11th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tom Jacobson | 4,706 | 57.50% |
| | Republican | Adam Rosendale | 3,478 | 42.50% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,184 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

#### District 12

Incumbent Democrat Carlie Boland had represented the 12th district since 2017.
Montana Senate 12th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Carlie Boland (incumbent) | 3,680 | 51.45% |
| | Republican | Steven Galloway | 3,472 | 48.55% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,152 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 13

Incumbent Republican Brian Hoven had represented the 13th district since 2015.
Montana Senate 13th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brian Hoven (incumbent) | 3,315 | 53.22% |
| | Democratic | Bob Moretti | 2,738 | 43.96% |
| | Libertarian | Kevin Vincent Leatherbar Row | 176 | 2.83% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,229 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 14

Incumbent Republican Russel Tempel had represented the 14th district since 2017.
Montana Senate 14th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Russel Tempel (incumbent) | 4,526 | 50.74% |
| | Democratic | Paul Tuss | 4,394 | 49.26% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,920 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 19

Incumbent Republican Eric Moore had represented the 19th district and its predecessors since 2011. Moore was term-limited and successfully ran for a seat in the state house.
Montana Senate 19th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Kenneth Bogner | 7,334 | 80.85% |
| | Democratic | Mary Zeiss Stange | 1,737 | 19.15% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,071 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 20

Incumbent Republican Duane Ankney had represented the 20th district since 2015.
Montana Senate 20th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Duane Ankney (incumbent) | 8,226 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,226 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 22

Incumbent Republican Douglas Kary had represented the 22nd district since 2015.
Montana Senate 22nd district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Douglas Kary (incumbent) | 5,120 | 60.46% |
| | Democratic | Jennifer Merecki | 3,349 | 39.54% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,469 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### Districts 24–50
#### District 24

Incumbent Democrat Mary McNally had represented the 24th district since 2015.
Montana Senate 24th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mary McNally (incumbent) | 4,608 | 53.99% |
| | Republican | Tom McGillvray | 3,927 | 46.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,535 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 27

Incumbent Republican Cary Smith had represented the 27th district since 2015.
Montana Senate 27th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Cary Smith (incumbent) | 8,671 | 68.11% |
| | Democratic | Bryan Stafford | 4,060 | 31.89% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,731 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 29

Incumbent Republican David Howard had represented the 29th district since 2015.
Montana Senate 29th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Howard (incumbent) | 7,351 | 66.83% |
| | Democratic | Elizabeth (Betsy) Scanlin | 3,649 | 33.17% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,000 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 30

Incumbent Republican Nels Swandal had represented the 30th district since 2015. Swandal did not seek re-election.
Montana Senate 30th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Esp | 6,254 | 53.16% |
| | Democratic | Dan Vermillion | 5,214 | 44.32% |
| | Libertarian | Frank McClain | 296 | 2.52% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,764 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 32

Incumbent Republican Jedediah Hinkle had represented the 32nd district since 2014. He lost re-election to Democrat Pat Flowers.
Montana Senate 32nd district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Pat Flowers | 5,979 | 50.38% |
| | Republican | Jedediah Hinkle (incumbent) | 5,552 | 46.79% |
| | Libertarian | Francis Wendt | 336 | 2.83% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,867 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

#### District 33

Incumbent Democrat Jennifer Pomnichowski had represented the 33rd district since 2015.
Montana Senate 33rd district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jennifer Pomnichowski (incumbent) | 9,627 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,627 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 34

Incumbent Republican Gordon Vance had represented the 34th district since 2015.
Montana Senate 34th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gordon Vance (incumbent) | 6,395 | 64.79% |
| | Democratic | Sam Newville | 3,475 | 35.21% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,870 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 41

Incumbent Democrat Mary Caferro had represented the 41st district and its predecessors since 2011. Caferro was term-limited and successfully ran for a seat in the state house. State representative Janet Ellis won the open seat.
Montana Senate 41st district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Janet Ellis | 6,065 | 57.76% |
| | Republican | John Schmidt | 4,436 | 42.24% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,501 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 42

Incumbent Democrat Jill Cohenour had represented the 43rd district since 2015.
Montana Senate 42nd district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jill Cohenour (incumbent) | 5,556 | 57.07% |
| | Republican | Bob Leach | 4,180 | 42.93% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,736 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 43

Incumbent Republican Pat Connell had represented the 43rd district since 2015. Connell lost re-nomination to fellow Republican Jason Ellsworth.
Montana Senate 43rd district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jason Ellsworth | 6,990 | 62.06% |
| | Independent | Laura Garber | 4,274 | 37.94% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,264 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### District 48

Incumbent Democrat Nate McConnell had represented the 48th district since 2018.
Montana Senate 48th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Nate McConnell (incumbent) | 6,427 | 62.76% |
| | Republican | Adam S. Pummill | 3,813 | 37.24% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,240 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 49

Incumbent Democrat Diane Sands had represented the 49th district since 2015.
Montana Senate 49th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Diane Sands (incumbent) | 5,579 | 51.59% |
| | Republican | Chase Reynolds | 5,236 | 48.41% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,815 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### District 50

Incumbent Democrat Tom Facey had represented the 50th district and its predecessors since 2011. Facey was term-limited and could not seek re-election. State Representative Bryce Bennett won the open seat.
Montana Senate 50th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bryce Bennett | 8,127 | 72.20% |
| | Republican | Niki Sardot | 3,130 | 27.80% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,257 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |