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Montana House of Representatives District 1

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Montana House of Representatives District 1
Incumbent
Assumed office: January 6, 2025

Montana House of Representatives District 1 is represented by Neil Duram (R).

As of the 2020 Census, Montana state representatives represented an average of 10,854 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 9,944 residents.

About the office

Members of the Montana House of Representatives are subject to term limits and may not serve more than four two-year terms. Montana legislators assume office the first Monday of January following the election. If January 1 is a Monday, legislators assume office on the first Wednesday.[1][2]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

According to Part V, Section 4, of the Montana Constitution, in order to be eligible to serve in the Montana House of Representatives,[3] "A candidate for the legislature shall be a resident of the state for at least one year next preceding the general election. For six months next preceding the general election, he shall be a resident of the county if it contains one or more districts or of the district if it contains all or parts of more than one county."

According to the Montana Secretary of State, candidates must be U.S. citizens.[4]

Candidates must be registered voters in the state.[5][6]


Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[7]
SalaryPer diem
$104.86/legislative day$171/day

Term limits

See also: State legislatures with term limits

The Montana legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Montana Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Montana representatives cannot serve more than four two-year terms, or a total of eight years in any 16-year period.[8]

The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.[9]


Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Montana State Legislature, the board of county commissioners of the county that comprises the legislative district of the vacant seat must select a replacement. The secretary of state must notify the board of county commissioners and the state party that holds the vacant seat no later than seven days after being informed of the vacancy. The county central committee has 45 days after receiving notice from the secretary of state to provide a list of candidates to the board of county commissioners. The board must select a replacement no later than 15 days after receiving the list of candidates. If the legislature is in session, the selection must be made no later than five days after receiving a candidate list.[10] Any person selected to fill a House seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term. Any person selected to fill a Senate seat serves until the next scheduled general election.[11]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Montana Const. Art. 5, Sec 7 and Montana Code Ann. §5-2-402


District map

Redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Montana

Montana uses a non-politician commission for congressional and state legislative redistricting. This commission comprises five members. The majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the state legislature select one member a piece. These four members then select a fifth to serve as the commission's chair. If the first four commissioners are unable to agree on an appointment, the Montana Supreme Court may select the fifth member.[12]

The Montana Constitution requires that no commissioner be a public official. State statutes require that two of the first four commissioners "must be selected from certain counties (roughly, in the Montana Rockies to the west) and two must be selected from the rest of the state (to the east)."[12]

The state's Districting and Apportionment Commission must complete congressional redistricting within 90 days of receiving federal census data. It must prepare a legislative redistricting plan "by the 10th legislative day of the first regular session after the federal census results are available. The Legislature then has 30 days to make recommendations to the commission. Within 30 days of receiving the Legislature's recommendations, the commission must file the redistricting plan with the Secretary of State, and it becomes law. Although the commission may modify the plan to accommodate the Legislature's recommendations, it is not required to do so."[13]

The state constitution requires that districts be both contiguous and compact.[12]

The ... commission has stated that it may gauge compactness by looking to a district's general appearance, and the degree to which it fosters "functional compactness" through "travel and transportation, communication, and geography." The commission has similarly determined that it will, in drawing legislative districts, consider the boundary lines of political subdivisions (counties, cities, towns, school districts, Indian reservations, neighborhood commissions, and others); follow geographic boundaries; and consider keeping intact communities of interest (based on "Indian reservations, urban[, suburban, or rural] interests, . . . neighborhoods, trade areas, geographic location, communication and transportation networks, media markets, social, cultural and economic interests, or occupations and lifestyles").[14]
—All About Redistricting

2020-2024

See also: Redistricting in Montana after the 2020 census

Montana enacted new legislative district boundaries after the 2020 census on February 22, 2023, when the Montana Districting & Apportionment Commission (MDAC) submitted its final plan to the secretary of state. The commission had voted 3-2 to approve the final plan on February 11, 2023. The two Democratic-appointed commissioners and the commission's chairperson—that the state supreme court appointed—voted to approve the plan. The two Republican-appointed commissioners voted against it. These districts took effect for the 2024 elections.

The MDAC voted 3-2 to submit its final legislative district boundary proposal to the legislature on December 21, 2022. The commission's nonpartisan chairperson, Maylinn Smith, and two Democratic-appointed commissioners voted to approve the map, and the two Republican-appointed commissioners voted against it.[15] The legislature provided recommendations on the plan via a joint House-Senate resolution on February 2, 2023. The MDAC incorporated some, but not all, of the legislature's proposed amendments into the final plan.

Montana was the last state to enact legislative redistricting plans after the 2020 census. The state constitution requires that the redistricting commission submit legislative maps to the legislature so they can provide non-binding recommendations before they are enacted. Montana's legislature only meets in odd-numbered years and adjourned in April 2021, before U.S. Census data was delivered to the states on August 12, 2021.[16]

Shaylee Ragar of Montana Public Radio wrote that "According to data compiled by Democrats on the commission, the map could give Republicans a 20-seat advantage in the House and an 8-seat advantage in the Senate. It projects Democrats picking up a few seats currently held by Republicans."[17] Arren Kimbel-Sannit wrote in the Montana Free Press that, "In sum, the new maps could cost Republicans several seats while still leaving them a sizable majority that at least suggests the GOP’s dominance in recent elections."[18]

Below are the maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Montana’s 2024 state legislative elections.

Elections

2024

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 1

Incumbent Neil Duram defeated Dakota Adams in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Neil Duram
Neil Duram (R)
 
80.0
 
5,541
Dakota Adams (D)
 
20.0
 
1,388

Total votes: 6,929
Candidate Connection = 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 House of Representatives District 1

Dakota Adams advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Dakota Adams
 
100.0
 
648

Total votes: 648
Candidate Connection = 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 1

Incumbent Neil Duram advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Neil Duram
Neil Duram
 
100.0
 
2,693

Total votes: 2,693
Candidate Connection = 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.

2022

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 1

Incumbent Steve Gunderson won election in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Gunderson
Steve Gunderson (R)
 
100.0
 
3,220

Total votes: 3,220
Candidate Connection = 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 1

Incumbent Steve Gunderson advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Gunderson
Steve Gunderson
 
100.0
 
1,688

Total votes: 1,688
Candidate Connection = 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.

2020

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 1

Incumbent Steve Gunderson defeated Marvin Sather in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Gunderson
Steve Gunderson (R)
 
71.0
 
3,721
Marvin Sather (D) Candidate Connection
 
29.0
 
1,518

Total votes: 5,239
Candidate Connection = 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 1

Marvin Sather advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 2, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Marvin Sather Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
880

Total votes: 880
Candidate Connection = 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 1

Incumbent Steve Gunderson advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 2, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Gunderson
Steve Gunderson
 
100.0
 
2,121

Total votes: 2,121
Candidate Connection = 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 House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 1

Incumbent Steve Gunderson defeated Donald Coats in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Gunderson
Steve Gunderson (R) Candidate Connection
 
72.9
 
3,014
Donald Coats (D)
 
27.1
 
1,118

Total votes: 4,132
Candidate Connection = 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 1

Donald Coats advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Donald Coats
 
100.0
 
411

Total votes: 411
Candidate Connection = 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 1

Incumbent Steve Gunderson advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Gunderson
Steve Gunderson Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
1,823

Total votes: 1,823
Candidate Connection = 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 Jerry Bennett (R) did not seek re-election because of term-limits.

Steve Gunderson defeated Steve Haarstick in the Montana House of Representatives District 1 general election.[19][20]

Montana House of Representatives, District 1 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Steve Gunderson 72.50% 3,045
     Democratic Steve Haarstick 27.50% 1,155
Total Votes 4,200
Source: Montana Secretary of State


Steve Haarstick ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 1 Democratic primary.[21][22]

Montana House of Representatives, District 1 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Steve Haarstick  (unopposed)


Steve Gunderson defeated Bill Clark in the Montana House of Representatives District 1 Republican primary.[23][24]

Montana House of Representatives, District 1 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Steve Gunderson 64.24% 1,015
     Republican Bill Clark 35.76% 565
Total Votes 1,580
Source: Montana Secretary of State

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. Donald Coats was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Jerry Bennett was unopposed in the Republican primary. Bennett defeated Coats in the general election.[25][26]

Montana House of Representatives, District 1 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJerry Bennett Incumbent 75.7% 2,636
     Democratic Donald Coats 24.3% 847
Total Votes 3,483

2012

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Montana House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 5, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 12, 2012. Incumbent Gerald Bennett (R) was unopposed in the general election and the Republican primary.[27][28][29]

Campaign contributions

From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Montana House of Representatives District 1 raised a total of $143,942. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $3,890 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money

Campaign contributions, Montana House of Representatives District 1
Year Amount Candidates Average
2024 $16,544 2 $8,272
2022 $3,780 1 $3,780
2020 $12,971 2 $6,485
2018 $1,240 2 $620
2016 $10,603 3 $3,534
2014 $2,024 2 $1,012
2012 $3,050 1 $3,050
2010 $8,690 2 $4,345
2008 $28,585 6 $4,764
2006 $25,477 3 $8,492
2004 $11,714 4 $2,929
2002 $3,948 3 $1,316
2000 $15,316 6 $2,553
Total $143,942 37 $3,890


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. Confirmed via email with the Montana State Legislature on 8/6/2011
  2. Montana Constitution, "Article V, Section 3," accessed February 9, 2021
  3. The Constitution of the State of Montana, "Article 5, Section 4," accessed May 22, 2025
  4. Montana Secretary of State, "2024 Offices, Qualifications, and Fees," accessed May 27, 2025
  5. "Montana Secretary of State, "Declaration for Nomination and Oath of Candidacy," accessed May 29, 2025
  6. "Montana Secretary of State, "Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy," accessed May 29, 2025
  7. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  8. Montana State Constitution, "Article 4, Section 8," accessed February 9, 2021
  9. U.S. Term Limits, "State Legislative Term Limits," accessed February 4, 2021
  10. Montana Legislature, "Montana Code Annotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statute 5-2-402 (3) (a)-(c))
  11. Montana Legislature, "Montana Code Annotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statute 5-2-405 (1)-(2))
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 All About Redistricting, "Montana," accessed April 29, 2015
  13. Montana State Legislature, "Districting and Apportionment Commission," accessed October 6, 2021
  14. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  15. Daily Montanan, "Redistricting Commission votes to send map to the legislature for recommendations," December 21, 2022
  16. Montana State Legislature, "Constitution of Montana -- Article V -- THE LEGISLATURE," accessed June 2, 2022
  17. Montana Public Radio, "Redistricting commission adopts final legislative maps," February 13, 2023
  18. Montana Free Press, "Explaining the why and the where of Montana’s new legislative districts," February 13, 2023
  19. Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed August 22, 2016
  20. Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed December 21, 2016
  21. Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed March 24, 2016
  22. Montana Secretary of State, "2016 primary election - June 7, 2016," accessed June 7, 2016
  23. Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed March 24, 2016
  24. Montana Secretary of State, "2016 primary election - June 7, 2016," accessed June 7, 2016
  25. Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed October 29, 2014
  26. Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide Primary Election Canvass," accessed June 30, 2014
  27. Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Elections Candidate Information," accessed October 23, 2013
  28. Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislatve Primary Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
  29. Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014


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
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
Ed Byrne (R)
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
Paul Tuss (D)
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
Mike Fox (D)
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
District 53
District 54
District 55
District 56
District 57
District 58
District 59
District 60
District 61
District 62
District 63
District 64
District 65
District 66
District 67
District 68
District 69
District 70
District 71
District 72
District 73
District 74
Marc Lee (D)
District 75
District 76
District 77
District 78
District 79
District 80
District 81
District 82
District 83
District 84
District 85
District 86
District 87
District 88
District 89
District 90
District 91
District 92
District 93
District 94
District 95
District 96
District 97
District 98
District 99
District 100
SJ Howell (D)
Republican Party (58)
Democratic Party (42)