Dennis Lenz

Dennis Lenz

Republican Party

Candidate, Montana State Senate District 25

Montana State Senate District 25

Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

0

Prior offices:

Montana State Senate District 27

Years in office: 2023 - 2025

Predecessor: Cary Smith (R)

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Montana House of Representatives District 53

Years in office: 2017 - 2023

Successor: Nelly Nicol (R)

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Montana House of Representatives District 50

Years in office: 2013 - 2015

Compensation

Base salary

$104.86/legislative day

Per diem

$171/day

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Next election

November 3, 2026

Appointed

January 6, 2025

Personal

Profession

Fire captain/farmer

Contact

Official website

Dennis Lenz (Republican Party) is a member of the Montana State Senate, representing District 25. He assumed office on January 6, 2025. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.

Lenz (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the Montana State Senate to represent District 25. He declared candidacy for the general election scheduled on November 3, 2026.

Lenz previously served in the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 50 from 2013 to 2015 and District 53 from 2017 to 2022.

Committee assignments

2025-2026

Lenz was assigned to the following committees:

• Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee
• Finance and Claims Committee
• Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee, Chair

2023-2024

Lenz was assigned to the following committees:

• Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee
• Finance and Claims Committee
• Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee, Vice Chair
• Senate Rules Committee

2021-2022

Lenz was assigned to the following committees:

• Human Services Committee, Chair
• House Judiciary Committee
• House Rules Committee

2019-2020

Lenz was assigned to the following committees:

• House Judiciary Committee
• Human Services Committee, Chair
• House Rules Committee

2017 legislative session

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

Montana committee assignments, 2017
• Agriculture
• Human Services, Vice chair
• Legislative Administration
• State Administration

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Lenz served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2013
• Agriculture
• Human Services
• Judiciary

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

2026

See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Montana State Senate District 25

Incumbent Dennis Lenz is running in the general election for Montana State Senate District 25 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Dennis Lenz (R)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Endorsements

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2022

See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Montana State Senate District 27

Dennis Lenz won election in the general election for Montana State Senate District 27 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dennis Lenz (R)	100.0	9,670

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,670
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 27

Dennis Lenz advanced from the Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 27 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dennis Lenz	100.0	5,697

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,697
= 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.
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2020

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 53

Incumbent Dennis Lenz won election in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 53 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dennis Lenz (R)	100.0	8,025

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,025
= 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 House of Representatives District 53

Incumbent Dennis Lenz advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 53 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dennis Lenz	100.0	3,724

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,724
= 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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ray Tracy (R)

2018

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 53

Incumbent Dennis Lenz defeated Clementine Lindley in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 53 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dennis Lenz (R)	72.1	5,240
		Clementine Lindley (D)	27.9	2,032

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 7,272
= 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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Megan Petersen (D)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 53

Megan Petersen advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 53 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Megan Petersen	100.0	1,006

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 1,006
= 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 House of Representatives District 53

Incumbent Dennis Lenz advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 53 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dennis Lenz	100.0	2,695

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 2,695
= 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 Sarah Laszloffy (R) did not seek re-election.

Dennis Lenz defeated Jordan Matney in the Montana House of Representatives District 53 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 53 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Dennis Lenz	77.17%	5,216
	Democratic	Jordan Matney	22.83%	1,543
Total Votes				6,759
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Jordan Matney ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 53 Democratic primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 53 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Jordan Matney  (unopposed)

Dennis Lenz ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 53 Republican primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 53 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Dennis Lenz  (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. Jessica Karjala was unopposed in the Democratic primary. District 50 incumbent Dennis Lenz was unopposed in the Republican primary. Karjala defeated Lenz in the general election. Incumbent Douglas Kary (R) ran for District 22 of the Montana State Senate.

Montana House of Representatives, District 48 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Jessica Karjala	52.3%	1,889
	Republican	Dennis Lenz Incumbent	47.7%	1,720
Total Votes				3,609

2012

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2012

Lenz won election in the 2012 election for Montana House of Representatives, District 50. Lenz ran unopposed in the June 5 primary election and defeated Deborah D. Willis (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

Montana House of Representatives, District 50, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Dennis Lenz	54.7%	2,243
	Democratic	Deborah Willis	45.3%	1,858
Total Votes				4,101

2010

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2010

Lenz was a Republican candidate for District 54 in the Montana House of Representatives in the November 2, 2010, state legislative elections. Lenz did not have any opposition in the June 8 primary and was defeated by incumbent Margaret MacDonald (D) in the November 2 general election.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

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2022

Dennis Lenz did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Dennis Lenz did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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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.

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Dennis Lenz campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Montana State Senate District 27	Won general	$24,253	$0
2020	Montana House of Representatives District 53	Won general	$7,325	N/A**
2018	Montana House of Representatives District 53	Won general	$2,473	N/A**
2016	Montana House of Representatives, District 53	Won	$7,928	N/A**
2012	Montana House, District 50	Won	$20,055	N/A**
2010	Montana House, District 54	Lost	$16,324	N/A**
** 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.

2024

In 2024, the Montana State Legislature was not in session.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 2 to May 2. 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 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 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.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].
In 2022, the Montana State Legislature was not in session.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

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.

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.

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Officeholder

Montana State Senate District 25

Website

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Montana State Senate District 25 2025-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by Cary Smith (R)	Montana State Senate District 27 2023-2025	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Montana House of Representatives District 53 2017-2023	Succeeded by Nelly Nicol (R)
Preceded by -	Montana House of Representatives District 50 2013-2015	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Montana State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Matt Regier

Majority Leader:Tom McGillvray

Senators

District 1

Mike Cuffe (R)

District 2

Dave Fern (D)

District 3

Carl Glimm (R)

District 4

John Fuller (R)

District 5

Matt Regier (R)

District 6

Mark Noland (R)

District 7

Greg Hertz (R)

District 8

Susan Webber (D)

District 9

Bruce Gillespie (R)

District 10

Jeremy Trebas (R)

District 11

Daniel Emrich (R)

District 12

Wendy McKamey (R)

District 13

Joshua Kassmier (R)

District 14

Russel Tempel (R)

District 15

Gregg Hunter (R)

District 16

Jonathan Windy Boy (D)

District 17

Bob Phalen (R)

District 18

Kenneth Bogner (R)

District 19

Barry Usher (R)

District 20

Sue Vinton (R)

District 21

Gayle Lammers (R)

District 22

Daniel Zolnikov (R)

District 23

Emma Kerr-Carpenter (D)

District 24

Mike Yakawich (R)

District 25

Dennis Lenz (R)

District 26

Tom McGillvray (R)

District 27

Vince Ricci (R)

District 28

Forrest Mandeville (R)

District 29

John Esp (R)

District 30

Cora Neumann (D)

District 31

Pat Flowers (D)

District 32

Denise Hayman (D)

District 33

Christopher Pope (D)

District 34

Shelley Vance (R)

District 35

Tony Tezak (R)

District 36

Sara Novak (D)

District 37

Derek Harvey (D)

District 38

Becky Beard (R)

District 39

Wylie Galt (R)

District 40

Laura Smith (D)

District 41

Janet Ellis (D)

District 42

Mary Dunwell (D)

District 43

Jason Ellsworth (R)

District 44

Theresa Manzella (R)

District 45

Denley Loge (R)

District 46

Jacinda Morigeau (D)

District 47

Ellie Boldman (D)

District 48

Andrea Olsen (D)

District 49

Willis Curdy (D)

District 50

Shane Morigeau (D)

Republican Party (32)

Democratic Party (18)