Kenneth Walsh

Kenneth Walsh

Republican Party

Candidate, Montana House of Representatives District 69

Montana House of Representatives District 69

Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

0

Prior offices

Montana House of Representatives District 71

Predecessor: Ray Shaw

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Compensation

Base salary

$104.86/legislative day

Per diem

$171/day

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Next election

November 3, 2026

Education

Bachelor's

Montana State University, 1976

Graduate

Montana State University, 1981

Personal

Birthplace

Stockton, Calif.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Business executive

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

Kenneth Walsh (Republican Party) is a member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 69. He assumed office on January 6, 2025. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.

Walsh (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the Montana House of Representatives to represent District 69. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.

Biography

Kenneth Walsh was born in Stockton, California. Walsh earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education from Montana State University in 1976 and a graduate degree from Montana State University in 1981. Walsh’s career experience includes working as a vocational agriculture teacher, as manager of the Northern International Livestock Exposition and Rodeo, and as the president and CEO of Ruby Valley Bank.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Walsh was assigned to the following committees:

• Agriculture Committee
• House Ethics Committee, Vice Chair
• House Legislative Administration Committee
• House Natural Resources Committee
• House State Administration Committee

2021-2022

Walsh was assigned to the following committees:

• House Legislative Administration Committee
• House Natural Resources Committee
• House State Administration Committee
• Agriculture Committee

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 House of Representatives 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 House of Representatives District 69

Incumbent Kenneth Walsh and Trevor Walter are running in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 69 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Kenneth Walsh (R)
		Trevor Walter (R)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Endorsements

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2024

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 69

Incumbent Kenneth Walsh won election in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 69 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kenneth Walsh (R)	100.0	6,222

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,222
= 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 House of Representatives District 69

Incumbent Kenneth Walsh advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 69 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kenneth Walsh	100.0	2,539

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,539
= 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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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Walsh in this election.

2022

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 71

Incumbent Kenneth Walsh won election in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 71 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kenneth Walsh (R)	100.0	5,215

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,215
= 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 71

Incumbent Kenneth Walsh advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 71 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kenneth Walsh	100.0	2,502

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,502
= 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

• Jackson Duprey (R)
• Christian Pederson (R)

2020

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 71

Kenneth Walsh defeated Ian Root in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 71 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kenneth Walsh (R)	74.4	5,653
	Submit photo	Ian Root (D)	25.6	1,945

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 7,598
= 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 House of Representatives District 71

Ian Root advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 71 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Ian Root	100.0	1,150

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,150
= 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 71

Kenneth Walsh defeated Cindy Younkin in the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 71 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kenneth Walsh	75.7	2,482
	Submit photo	Cindy Younkin	24.3	797

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,279
= 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.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kenneth Walsh has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Kenneth Walsh asking him to fill out the survey. If you are Kenneth Walsh, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

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You can ask Kenneth Walsh to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing kmwalsh54@gmail.com.

2024

Kenneth Walsh did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Kenneth Walsh did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Kenneth Walsh completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Walsh's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a bank owner/President/CEO of a community bank retired after 33 years. Currently owner/manager of the family Walsh W Bar Ranch located in Twin Bridges, MT. Been married to my spouse for 30 years, and have 2 adult male children. Lived and worked in the area for over 50 years. Involved in community activies, serve on local hospital board, local park district board, and volunteer for for service activities.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Strong rural communities
• Promote and support strong natural resource economies, agriculture, timber, mining, recreation
• Education

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My passion for Strong rural communities has drawn me to public service. I am confident that I can utilize my small business and agriculture experiences to find common sense, conservative solutions that will allow all to find success.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My father. He taught a strong work ethic, high moral standards, many life lessons. He was very successful in his own ways, raised a good family, and was always supportive.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

No, I am not a chapter in a book. My philosophy is not someone else's. My philosophy is based on my up bring, my work experiences, and dealing with the public.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honest. High moral standards. Ability to have strong convictions, but are able to find comprise.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honest. Hard Working. Quality Listener. Stong Moral Standards.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To serve the citizens of my District and the State of Montana.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That our children have a bright future, and have the ability to be successful in their own manner.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Assignation of JFK , 9 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was working on the family ranch. My first job out of college was a Vocational Agriculture Teacher in Wolf Point, MT . I was there for 4 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Lost Symbol - Daniel Brown. The history aspect.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Never wanted to be anyone else, but myself. I am very comfortable with being who I am.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Humble and Kind - Tim McGraw

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Managing work and family

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

In Montana the Senate is the upper chamber, but the House controls the budget. The Senate has 50 members and the House has 100. One chamber needs the other to succeed.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Certainly, but there are term limits here in Montana, so that limits the experience aspect

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Revenue is always an issue, but will be more so going forward, with the current economic slow-down.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

There is a need for a working relationship as to move and resolve issues in an efficient expediate manner. The governor should be a leader and set goals, and the legislature should be a catalysis, but also vet the issues and develop a path for solutions.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Most currently, if you are only 1 out 100 you need to develop not only a positive relationship but respect for one and another. You need to have a sense of trust and share in knowledge and experience.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Appropriations, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

I probably won't be interested in any leadership position as a new comer, down the road yes I would be interested

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I will model those that have studied and understand the issues, worked with other policy makers, regardless of party affiliation, to pass legislation for all of Montana.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not currently, and doubtful in the future.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

All personal stories are important to the person telling them, so they are important to me.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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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Kenneth Walsh campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Montana House of Representatives District 69	Won general	$7,614	$0
2022	Montana House of Representatives District 71	Won general	$9,299	$0
2020	Montana House of Representatives District 71	Won general	$16,322	N/A**
Grand total			$33,236	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 from this year may not be complete
** 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

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].
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.

See also

2026 Elections

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Candidate

Montana House of Representatives District 69

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Montana House of Representatives District 69

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Montana House of Representatives District 69 2025-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by Ray Shaw (R)	Montana House of Representatives District 71 2021-2025	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Montana House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Brandon Ler

Majority Leader:Steve Fitzpatrick

Minority Leader:Katie Sullivan

Representatives

District 1

Neil Duram (R)

District 2

Tom Millett (R)

District 3

Debo Powers (D)

District 4

Lyn Bennett (R)

District 5

Braxton Mitchell (R)

District 6

Amy Regier (R)

District 7

Courtenay Sprunger (R)

District 8

Lukas Schubert (R)

District 9

Steven Kelly (R)

District 10

Terry Falk (R)

District 11

Ed Byrne (R)

District 12

Tracy Sharp (R)

District 13

Linda Reksten (R)

District 14

Paul Fielder (R)

District 15

Thedis Crowe (D)

District 16

Tyson Running Wolf (D)

District 17

Zachary Wirth (R)

District 18

Llew Jones (R)

District 19

Jane Weber (D)

District 20

Melissa Nikolakakos (R)

District 21

Edward Buttrey (R)

District 22

George Nikolakakos (R)

District 23

Eric Tilleman (R)

District 24

Steve Fitzpatrick (R)

District 25

Steve Gist (R)

District 26

Russ Miner (R)

District 27

Paul Tuss (D)

District 28

Eric Albus (R)

District 29

Valerie Moore (R)

District 30

Morgan Thiel (R)

District 31

Frank Smith (D)

District 32

Mike Fox (D)

District 33

Brandon Ler (R)

District 34

Jerry Schillinger (R)

District 35

Gary Parry (R)

District 36

Greg Kmetz (R)

District 37

Shane Klakken (R)

District 38

Greg Oblander (R)

District 39

Kerri Seekins-Crowe (R)

District 40

Mike Vinton (R)

District 41

Jade Sooktis (D)

District 42

Sidney Fitzpatrick (D)

District 43

Larry Brewster (R)

District 44

Katie Zolnikov (R)

District 45

Denise Baum (D)

District 46

Denise Joy (D)

District 47

James Reavis (D)

District 48

Curtis Schomer (R)

District 49

Sherry Essmann (R)

District 50

Anthony Nicastro (R)

District 51

Jodee Etchart (R)

District 52

Bill Mercer (R)

District 53

Nelly Nicol (R)

District 54

Lee Deming (R)

District 55

Brad Barker (R)

District 56

Fiona Nave (R)

District 57

Scott Rosenzweig (D)

District 58

Jamie Isaly (D)

District 59

Ed Stafman (D)

District 60

Alanah Griffith (D)

District 61

Becky Edwards (D)

District 62

Josh Seckinger (D)

District 63

Peter Strand (D)

District 64

Kelly Kortum (D)

District 65

Brian Close (D)

District 66

Eric Matthews (D)

District 67

Jedediah Hinkle (R)

District 68

Caleb Hinkle (R)

District 69

Kenneth Walsh (R)

District 70

Shannon Maness (R)

District 71

Scott DeMarois (D)

District 72

Donavon Hawk (D)

District 73

Jennifer Lynch (D)

District 74

Marc Lee (D)

District 75

Mark Reinschmidt (R)

District 76

John Fitzpatrick (R)

District 77

Jane Gillette (R)

District 78

Randyn Gregg (R)

District 79

Luke Muszkiewicz (D)

District 80

Melissa Romano (D)

District 81

Mary Caferro (D)

District 82

Pete Elverum (D)

District 83

Jill Cohenour (D)

District 84

Julie Darling (R)

District 85

Kathy Love (R)

District 86

David Bedey (R)

District 87

Terry Nelson (R)

District 88

Greg Overstreet (R)

District 89

Mark Thane (D)

District 90

Curtis Cochran (R)

District 91

Shelly Fyant (D)

District 92

Connie Keogh (D)

District 93

Katie Sullivan (D)

District 94

Marilyn Marler (D)

District 95

Zooey Zephyr (D)

District 96

Bob Carter (D)

District 97

Melody Cunningham (D)

District 98

Jonathan Karlen (D)

District 99

Tom France (D)

District 100

SJ Howell (D)

Republican Party (58)

Democratic Party (42)