Elsie Arntzen
Elsie Arntzen (Republican Party) was the Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction. She assumed office on January 2, 2017. She left office on January 6, 2025.
Arntzen (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Montana's 2nd Congressional District. She lost in the Republican primary on June 4, 2024.
Biography
Elsie Arntzen earned her B.A. in economics from the University of Montana in 1978, and her B.S. in education from Montana State University in 1992. Her professional experience includes working as an educator.
Political career
Montana superintendent of public instruction (2017 - 2025)
Arntzen was elected to the position of Montana superintendent of public instruction on November 8, 2016. She was sworn into office on January 2, 2017. She left office on January 6, 2025.[1]
Montana State Senate (2013-2017)
Arntzen is a former Republican member of the Montana State Senate, representing District 26 and District 27. She was first elected to represent District 27 in the senate in 2012, and was reassigned to District 26 due to redistricting. She did not seek re-election in 2016 in order to campaign for Montana superintendent of public instruction.
Montana House of Representatives (2005-2013)
Arntzen served in the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 53, from 2005 to 2013.
Elections
2024
See also: Montana's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024
Montana's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Democratic primary)
Montana's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Republican primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Montana District 2
Troy Downing defeated John B. Driscoll, Reilly Neill, and John Metzger in the general election for U.S. House Montana District 2 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Troy Downing (R) | 65.7 | 181,832 |
 | John B. Driscoll (D) | 33.9 | 93,713 | |
 | Reilly Neill (D) (Write-in)  | 0.4 | 1,058 | |
 | John Metzger (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 40 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 9 | ||
| Total votes: 276,652 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Montana District 2
John B. Driscoll defeated Steve Held, Ming Cabrera, and Kevin Hamm in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Montana District 2 on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John B. Driscoll | 33.3 | 13,420 |
 | Steve Held | 26.4 | 10,649 | |
 | Ming Cabrera | 20.9 | 8,408 | |
 | Kevin Hamm | 19.4 | 7,813 | |
| Total votes: 40,290 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Montana District 2
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Montana District 2 on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Troy Downing | 36.1 | 36,269 |
 | Denny Rehberg | 17.1 | 17,182 | |
 | Stacy Zinn | 13.5 | 13,581 | |
 | Elsie Arntzen | 9.4 | 9,468 | |
 | Kenneth Bogner | 9.0 | 9,026 | |
 | Ric Holden | 7.1 | 7,108 | |
 | Joel G. Krautter | 3.4 | 3,432 | |
| Kyle Austin | 3.2 | 3,177 | ||
 | Edward Walker | 1.2 | 1,168 | |
| Total votes: 100,411 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Matt Rosendale (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Arntzen in this election.
2020
See also: Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2020
General election
General election for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Elsie Arntzen defeated Melissa Romano and Kevin Leatherbarrow in the general election for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Elsie Arntzen (R) | 52.2 | 310,111 |
 | Melissa Romano (D) | 43.7 | 259,886 | |
 | Kevin Leatherbarrow (L) | 4.1 | 24,202 | |
| Total votes: 594,199 | |||
| = 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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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction
Melissa Romano advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Melissa Romano | 100.0 | 132,792 |
| Total votes: 132,792 | |||
| = 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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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Elsie Arntzen advanced from the Republican primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Elsie Arntzen | 100.0 | 178,156 |
| Total votes: 178,156 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Libertarian primary election
The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Kevin Leatherbarrow advanced from the Libertarian primary for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction.
2016
Arntzen ran for Montana superintendent of schools in the 2016 election. She was unopposed in the June 7 Republican primary and competed with Melissa Romano (D), who was also unopposed in her party's primary, in the general election on November 8.[2]
Elsie Arntzen defeated Melissa Romano in the Montana superintendent of schools election.
| Montana Superintendent of Schools, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Elsie Arntzen |
51.65% | 253,790 | |
| Democratic | Melissa Romano | 48.35% | 237,590 | |
| Total Votes | 491,380 | |||
| Source: Montana Secretary of State | ||||
Elsie Arntzen ran unopposed in the Montana Republican primary for superintendent.
| Montana Republican primary for superintendent, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Elsie Arntzen (unopposed) |
100.00% | 129,851 |
| Total Votes (686 of 686 precincts reporting) | 129,851 | |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State | ||
2014
Arntzen ran in the 2014 election for the U.S. House to represent Montana's At-Large District. Arntzen sought the Republican nomination in the primary on June 3, 2014, but lost to Ryan Zinke.
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ryan Zinke |
33.3% | 43,766 | ||
| Corey Stapleton | 29.3% | 38,591 | ||
| Matt Rosendale | 28.8% | 37,965 | ||
| Elsie Arntzen | 6.8% | 9,011 | ||
| Drew Turiano | 1.7% | 2,290 | ||
| Total Votes | 131,623 | |||
| Source: Montana Secretary of State - Official Primary Results |
||||
2012
- See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2012
Arntzen won election in the 2012 election for Montana State Senate, District 27. Arntzen ran unopposed in the June 5 primary election and defeated incumbent Gary Branae (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[3][4]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Elsie Arntzen |
51.4% | 3,414 | |
| Democratic | Gary Branae Incumbent | 48.6% | 3,225 | |
| Total Votes | 6,639 | |||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Arntzen won election to the Montana House of Representatives. She did not have any opposition in the June 8 primary. Chris Veis ran for the seat on the Democratic ticket. The general election took place on November 2, 2010.[5][6]
| Montana House of Representatives, District 53 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Elsie Arntzen (R)
|
1,572 | |||
| Chris Veis (D) | 1,026 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Arntzen won the seat to the Montana House of Representatives for District 53, receiving 2,200 votes.
Arntzen raised $7,363 for her campaign.[7]
| Montana House of Representatives, District 53 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Elsie Arntzen (R)
|
2,200 | |||
| Linda Wetzel (D) | 1,590 | |||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Elsie Arntzen did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Arntzen’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
ELSIE ON THE ISSUES BORDER SECURITY While Joe Biden and his radical leftist friends continue to ignore the invasion at our southern border, crime and drugs are pouring in poisoning our citizens. As your next Congresswoman I’ll work tirelessly to end the flow of illegals and CLOSE THE BORDER. Joe Biden must be held to account for his reckless policies. THE ECONOMY Democrats & Joe Biden have forgotten that the Government doesn’t create jobs – the private sector does. The best thing the federal government can do to stimulate job growth is cut taxes, eliminate unnecessary regulations/red tape, and put Montana and America first. In congress I will fight for policies that drive down inflation, decrease taxes, encourage organic economic growth, and lower the cost of living so that all Montanans can enjoy the American dream. ELECTION INTEGRITY: Since 2020 there have been many questions about the results of the Presidential election. Instead of working to strengthen the public's trust in elections, Democrats have instead chosen to weaponize the federal government against their political opponents, criminalize free speech, and have pushed to federalize our elections. I could not be more against this. Elections must be free, fair, and controlled at the state level. We do things right here in Montana, and our results show it. BALANCED BUDGET: Montana's families have to meet the bottom line each month; they don’t get to spend money they don’t have. The federal government has been spending more money than we have for decades, resulting in trillions in national debt that will plague our country for decades. We must stop the Democrats' out of control spending and handouts to foreign nations. In congress I will fight to cut wasteful spending, to balance the budget, and to always put America First. PUBLIC LANDS: As a member of the Land Board for seven years, I know the importance of protecting public access in Montana. Expanding access and quality management of our forests and lands to ensure that generations of Montanans will continue to be able to hunt, fish, and recreate is one of my top priorities. In DC I will work to open our forests to be managed in a way that helps create even more prosperity for Montanans and helps to stop out of control forest fires that keep us from using them to make memories with our family and friends. EDUCATION: Since 2017, I have worked tirelessly to put parents' rights first in Montana's education system. I have defended the innocence of our children from radical democrats, ensuring sex-ed isn't taught until the 6th grade. I have fought to preserve competition in athletics by not allowing boys to compete against girls in girls' sports, defended hunters safety & archery instruction from attacks by the Biden administration, and have made clear that there are only 2 genders in our instruction. In Washington I will be a watchdog for parents and an advocate for our students. I'll work to dismantle the Department of Education and return control of our students' education to the States. I'll stop the weaponization of Title IX against our girls and protect girls sports from the trans-agenda. Together we will ensure world-class education for all of our students by returning control to the local level. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: The Biden administration has bent to the will of radical environmentalists, killing countless American jobs while making us beholden to foreign oil. Here in Montana we know that fossil fuels and renewable energy are both critical to our prosperity; whether the leftists like it or not, the US will need oil for decades to come. The United States has the capacity to not only satisfy our own oil needs, but to return to being a net exporter of energy. In Washington, I'll stand up to the radical environmentalists and will work to return the United States to the energy independence we enjoyed under President Trump. SECOND AMENDMENT: As Montana's Superintendent of Public Instruction, I've fought back against the Biden Administration to ensure that hunters safety courses remain in Montana's schools. Educating our children on the Second Amendment is crucial to its preservation; after all, the Second Amendment is what guarantees our Bill of Rights. The Constitution couldn't be more clear, "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Red flag laws, attempts to ban particular models of firearms, and gun-free zones are all unconstitutional.[8] |
” |
| —Elsie Arntzen’s campaign website (2024)[9] | ||
2020
Elsie Arntzen did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Arntzen's campaign website included the following positions:
| “ | Montana-Made Solutions
We all know that Washington is broken. Instead of catering to the arbitrary standards and out of touch curriculum D.C. bureaucrats try to force on our students, Elsie will work with local school districts on Montana-made solutions that reflect the needs of our local communities. Putting Students First All too often, powerful special interests dictate the direction of our educational system and neglect the voices of our students, parents, and local teachers. Elsie’s unique perspective as an elementary school teacher and legislator will allow her to stand up to these entrenched powers and serve as a true advocate for Montana students. Local Control The best decisions about our children’s education are made at the local level – not by bureaucrats in Helena or D.C. Elsie will ensure that parents and teachers are involved in the unique educational issues facing our children.[10][8] |
” |
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.
State legislative tenure
Scorecards
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.
2017
In 2017, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 2 through April 28.
- 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.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- 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.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- 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]. |
|---|
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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]. |
|---|
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In 2015, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 5 through April 28.
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
|---|
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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.
|
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.
Committee assignments
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Arntzen served on the following committees:
| Montana committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Business, Labor and Economic Affairs, Vice Chair |
| • Education and Cultural Resources |
| • Highways and Transportation, Chair |
| • Ethics, Chair |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Arntzen served on the following committees:
| Montana committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs |
| • Education and Cultural Resources |
| • Ethics, Chair |
| • Highways and Transportation, Chair |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Arntzen served on the following committees:
| Montana committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Business and Labor, Chair |
| • Transportation |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Arntzen served on the following committees:
| Montana committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Business and Labor |
| • Local Government, Chair |
| • Transportation |
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate U.S. House Montana District 2 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedHelena - ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Non-Legislative," accessed March 15, 2016
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislative Primary Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2010 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed March 8, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Legislative Primary Canvass - June 08, 2010," accessed March 8, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Arntzen, Elsie," accessed March 8, 2014
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Elsie Arntzen U.S. CONGRESS, “ISSUES,” accessed August 4, 2024
- ↑ Elsie Arntzen for State Superintendent, "Issues," accessed October 4, 2016
- ↑ Montana Contractors' Association, "Stronger Together: Political Representation," accessed November 5, 2015
- ↑ Montana Weed Control Association, "2013 Legislative Report & Scorecard," accessed September 17, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Denise Juneau (D) |
Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction 2017-2025 |
Succeeded by Susie Hedalen (R) |
| Preceded by - |
Montana State Senate District 26 2015-2017 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Montana State Senate District 27 2013-2015 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Montana House of Representatives District 53 2005-2013 |
Succeeded by - |
| ||||||||||||||
