Bryce Bennett

Bryce Bennett

Democratic Party

Prior offices

Montana House of Representatives District 91

Successor: Connie Keogh

---

Montana State Senate District 50

Predecessor: Tom Facey

---

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

High school

Big Sky High School, 2003

Bachelor's

University of Montana, Missoula, 2007

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Bryce Bennett (Democratic Party) was a member of the Montana State Senate, representing District 50. He assumed office on January 7, 2019. He left office on August 2, 2021.

Bennett (Democratic Party) ran for election for Montana Secretary of State. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Bennett resigned from the state Senate on August 2, 2021, to take a job with Vote Early Day in Washington, D.C.

Bennett was unable to run for re-election in 2018 to the Montana House of Representatives because of term limits. Bennett served as a minority whip from 2015 to 2016. In the 2013-2014 session, Bennett served as minority caucus leader.

Committee assignments

2021-2022

Bennett was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Rules Committee
• Highways and Transportation Committee
• Senate Judiciary Committee
• Senate State Administration Committee, Vice Chair

2019-2020

Bennett was assigned to the following committees:

• Highways and Transportation Committee
• Senate Rules Committee
• Senate Judiciary Committee
• Senate State Administration Committee, Vice Chair

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2017
• Agriculture
• Education
• Rules
• State Administration, Vice chair

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Bennett served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2015
• Ethics, Vice Chair
• State Administration
• Education

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Bennett served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2013
• Education
• Rules
• State Administration, Vice Chair

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Bennett served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2011
• Education
• State Administration

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2020

See also: Montana Secretary of State election, 2020

Montana Secretary of State election, 2020 (June 2 Republican primary)

Montana Secretary of State election, 2020 (June 2 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for Montana Secretary of State

Christi Jacobsen defeated Bryce Bennett in the general election for Montana Secretary of State on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christi Jacobsen (R)	59.6	352,939
		Bryce Bennett (D)	40.4	239,617

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 592,556
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana Secretary of State

Bryce Bennett advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana Secretary of State on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bryce Bennett	100.0	130,181

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 130,181
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana Secretary of State

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Montana Secretary of State on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christi Jacobsen	29.4	57,941
		Scott Sales	25.3	49,759
		Brad Johnson	23.1	45,526
		Forrest Mandeville	10.3	20,318
		Bowen Greenwood	7.1	14,080
	Submit photo	Kurt Johnson	4.7	9,316

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 196,940
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Montana State Senate District 50

Bryce Bennett defeated Niki Sardot in the general election for Montana State Senate District 50 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bryce Bennett (D)	72.2	8,127
		Niki Sardot (R)	27.8	3,130

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,257
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 50

Bryce Bennett advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 50 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bryce Bennett	100.0	3,532

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 3,532
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 50

Niki Sardot advanced from the Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 50 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Niki Sardot	100.0	1,001

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 1,001
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 14, 2016.

Incumbent Bryce Bennett ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 91 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 91 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Bryce Bennett Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Incumbent Bryce Bennett ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 91 Democratic primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 91 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Bryce Bennett Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 10, 2014; minor party and independent candidates had until June 2, 2014, to file. District 92 incumbent Bryce Bennett was unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election. Incumbent David Moore (R) ran in District 92.

2012

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2012

Bennett won re-election in the 2012 election for Montana House of Representatives, District 92. Bennett ran unopposed in the June 5 primary election and defeated Paul Varkuza (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

Montana House of Representatives, District 92, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bryce Bennett Incumbent	66.6%	3,712
	Republican	Paul Varkuza	33.4%	1,862
Total Votes				5,574

2010

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2010

On November 2, 2010, Bennett won election to the Montana House of Representatives. Bennett had no opposition in the primary. He faced Don Harbaugh (R) and Henry Kayl Good (L) in the November 2 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 92 General Election (2010)
Candidates		Votes
Bryce Bennett (D)		2,235
Don Harbaugh (R)		2,080
Henry Kayl Good (L)		120

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Bryce Bennett did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Bennett’s campaign website stated the following:

“	Supporting Main Street Businesses Bryce was recognized by the Montana Chamber of Commerce for his record of working with Main Street. As Secretary of State, Bryce will cut red tape and bureaucracy and bring small businesses and entrepreneurs to the table to make sure government is responsive to Main Street and listens to the needs of Montana’s job creators. Bryce’s Leadership: Bryce will cut government bureaucracy by making the Secretary of State’s office a one-stop-shop for small business owners so they have a clear roadmap of each step they will need to take to get their business up and thriving. Bryce knows that every moment a business owner spends filling out government forms is time they lose for their business and putting food on their family’s table. Bryce will create a business council so business leaders always have a seat at the table Bryce will meet Montanans where they are by allowing for electronic and paper filings - not turning away folks in rural Montana who can’t register electronically Bryce will use the office’s contact information to help get businesses the tools and information they need to succeed, not more political grandstanding. Battling Dark Money When special interest dark money groups came into Montana to try and buy our elections, Bryce worked with Republicans and Democrats and led the charge to pass the nation’s leading anti-dark money law, to ensure the only voice that matters on Election Day is Montana voters. Bryce’s Leadership: Bryce was a leader in passing the Disclose Act which pulled dark money groups out of the shadows and required that every penny spent in our elections is transparent and accountable to Montana voters. Bryce is endorsed by End Citizens United, a group dedicated to keeping special interest money out of our elections. Bryce believes that dark money not only corrupts our elections, but also harms the integrity of democracy by making Montanans doubt their voice matters. Protecting Access to our Public Lands Bryce has a long history of protecting access to Montanas public lands. Throughout his career he has fought the special interests who want to transfer our public lands to state ownership or sell them off to the highest bidder. Bryce grew up swimming in Flathead Lake and hiking up Pompey’s Pillar and will always ensure we keep our public lands in public hands. Bryce’s Leadership: Bryce worked with Republicans and Democrats to push legislation that would put heavy fines on out-of-staters who put up gates and barbed wire to try to block our public access. Bryce is endorsed by the Montana Sportsmen's Alliance because he is the only candidate in this race that will protect access for hunters and anglers. Bryce will be an advocate for public access on the Land Board and will bring private landowners to the table to ensure we can open up more areas to hike, hunt, fish, and explore. Bipartisan Leadership Bryce Bennett has worked with Republicans and Democrats to get things done. Whether it was protecting healthcare for over 90,000 Montanans, passing the nations strongest anti-dark money legislation, or protecting your private data as a founder of the bipartisan Privacy Caucus, Bryce always puts Montana’s ahead of partisan politics. Bryce’s Leadership: Bryce worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass Medicaid expansion in 2015 and protect it from expiring in 2019. This work ensured over 90,000 Montanans could keep their healthcare and kept our rural hospitals open. Bryce was a leader in passing the Disclose Act which pulled dark money groups out of the shadows and required that every penny spent in our elections is transparent and accountable to Montana voters. Bryce was a co-founder of the Montana Privacy Caucus - a bipartisan group of legislators who have successfully passed bills to defend your private data from government or corporate overreach. Bryce has reached across the aisle to secure millions of dollars of funding to fix roads and bridges, support our schools, and repair vital water systems. A Strong, Secure Democracy The Secretary of State is the defender of our democracy. Bryce has passed bipartisan bill after bipartisan bill to make sure our elections are more secure, accessible, and stronger than ever before. From fixing our broken vote by mail system to making sure rural Montanans had a say in Montana’s future, Bryce will always make sure that every voice is heard and every vote is counted. Bryce’s Leadership: Bryce passed legislation to ensure folks from rural Montana no longer had to travel hundreds of miles just to drop off a ballot. When our broken election system was hemorrhaging voters off the vote by mail list after each election, Bryce came up with a solution that got fixed the problem and got ballots into the hands of 72,000 Montana voters who would have been left out. Bryce got his start registering voters in knee deep snow and pouring rain to help ensure everyone has a say in Montana’s future. He registered Republicans, Democrats, and Independents - party didn’t matter - because he believed then as he does now that all Montanans deserve to have their voices heard on Election Day. Bryce has fought the out of touch politicians pushing a voter suppression agenda that want to silence your ability to have a say in Montana’s future.	”
—Bryce Bennett’s campaign website (2020)

2012

On his Facebook page, Bennett said, "I am passionate about leading our state forward by investing in education, protecting our outdoor heritage, and creating quality high-paying jobs."

Campaign finance summary

---

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

---

Bryce Bennett campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2018	Montana State Senate District 50	Won general	$21,716	N/A**
2016	Montana House of Representatives, District 91	Won	$9,301	N/A**
2014	Montana House of Representatives, District 91	Won	$8,463	N/A**
2012	Montana House, District 92	Won	$13,306	N/A**
2010	Montana House, District 92	Won	$23,182	N/A**
Grand total			$75,968	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Montana

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Montana scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2021

In 2021, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 4 to April 29.

• Americans for Prosperity Montana

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.

• Club for Growth Foundation

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.

• Forward Montana

Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization.

• Montana Audubon

Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.

• Montana Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues.

• Montana Conservation Voters

Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.

• Montana Farm Bureau Federation

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture.

• Montana Federation of Public Employees

Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization.

• Montana Human Rights Network

Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.

• Montana Public Interest Research Group

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.

• Montana Sportsmen Alliance

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.

• Montana State AFL-CIO

Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues.

• Montanans for Limited Government

Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization.

• National Federation of Independent Business

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

• The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

• United Property Owners of Montana

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].
In 2020, the Montana State Legislature was not in session.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 7 through April 25. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Montana Audubon Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Environmental Information Center: 2019 Senate and House voting records Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment. Montana Farm Bureau Federation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Montana Human Rights Network Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Montana Public Interest Research Group Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana State AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
In 2018, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 2 through April 28. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Lewistown Tea Party: 2017 House and Senate scorecard Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party. Montana Audubon Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Contrators' Association Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to the interests of the construction industry. Montana Environmental Information Center: 2017 Senate and House voting records Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment. Montana Farm Bureau Federation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Montana Human Rights Network Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana State AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].
In 2016, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 5 through April 28. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Lewistown Tea Party: 2015 House and Senate scorecard Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party. MEA-MFT: 2015 Legislature Legislators are scored on bills deemed important by MEA-MFT to the state teachers' union. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on business and economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters: 2015 State Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to conservation and the environment. Montana Family Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes for or against Montana Family Foundation's position. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on bills relating to public land management and wildlife issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Montana: 2015 Voting Record Legislators are scored on bills relating to reproductive health issues. Northern Plains Resource Council: Voting Record - 2015 Montana Legislature Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana: 2015 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to property rights.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].
In 2014, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 7 to April 27. Lewistown Tea Party: 2013 House and Senate scorecard Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party. MEA-MFT: 2013 Legislature Legislators are scored on bills deemed important by MEA-MFT to the state teachers' union. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on business and economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters: 2013 State Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on conservative and environmental issues. Montana Contractors' Association Legislators are scored by the Montana Contractors' Association on their votes on "environmental legislation, worker’s comp issues, repressive labor legislation and unfair business and employment practices." Montana Environmental Information Center: 2013 Senate and House voting records Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment. Montana Family Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes for or against Montana Family Foundation's position. Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG): 2013 Montana Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored by MontPIRG on their votes on "issues that best advance the public interest here in our state." Montana Weed Control Association: 2013 Legislative Report & Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to noxious weed management in Montana. NARAL Pro-Choice Montana: 2013 Voting Record Legislators are scored on bills relating to reproductive health issues. Northern Plains Resource Council: Voting Record - 2013 Montana Legislature Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. United Property Owners of Montana: 2013 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to property rights.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].
In 2012, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

See also

2020 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

Coronavirus Weekly Updates Documenting America's Path to Recovery The Heart of the Primaries The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Montana Secretary of State

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

Website

Personal

Facebook

LinkedIn

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Montana House of Representatives District 91 2015–2019	Succeeded by Connie Keogh (D)
Preceded by Robin Hamilton (D)	Montana House of Representatives District 92 2011–2015	Succeeded by David Moore (R)
Preceded by Tom Facey (D)	Montana Senate District 48 2019–2021	Succeeded by Tom Steenberg (D)