Montana has 60 contested state legislative primaries in 2024, a new high and an increase of 36% from the preceding cycle. This is also the first election for which the new state legislative maps, finalized in February 2023, take effect.
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Fifteen of the 60 contested primaries are for Democrats, up 15% from 2022. Forty-five primaries are for Republicans, a 45% increase from 31 in 2022.
The number of Montana state legislative incumbents facing primary challenges is up 85% from 13 in 2022.
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Twenty-four incumbents face primaries this year, representing 32% of all incumbents running for re-election. This is a new high, as 2020 becomes the second highest with 23 incumbents in contested primaries. Of the 24 incumbents facing primary challengers this year, two are Democrats and 22 are Republicans.
A total of 304 major party candidates filed to run—123 Democrats and 181 Republicans. All 100 House seats and half of the state’s 50 Senate seats are up for election. Fifty-two of those 125 seats are open, meaning no incumbents filed, and at least 42% of the state legislature will be made up of newcomers next year. Seventeen percent of House incumbents are term-limited.
Montana has been a Republican trifecta since the party won control of the governor’s office in 2021. Republicans currently have a 68-32 majority in the House and a 34-16 majority in the Senate.
Montana’s state legislative primaries are scheduled for June 4.
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