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.
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.
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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