Montana House of Representatives District 51
Montana House of Representatives District 51 is represented by Jodee Etchart (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
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] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per 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
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]
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
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 51
Incumbent Jodee Etchart defeated Janna Hafer in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jodee Etchart (R) | 57.4 | 3,124 |
 | Janna Hafer (Independent) | 42.6 | 2,320 | |
| Total votes: 5,444 | |||
 = 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
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 51
Incumbent Jodee Etchart advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jodee Etchart | 100.0 | 1,665 |
| Total votes: 1,665 | |||
| = 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
General election
General election for Montana House of Representatives District 51
Incumbent Mike Yakawich defeated Carole Boerner in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mike Yakawich (R) | 56.1 | 1,872 |
| Carole Boerner (D) | 43.9 | 1,465 | ||
| Total votes: 3,337 | |||
| = 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 51
Carole Boerner advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Carole Boerner | 100.0 | 821 | |
| Total votes: 821 | |||
| = 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 51
Incumbent Mike Yakawich advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Yakawich | 100.0 | 1,211 |
| Total votes: 1,211 | |||
| = 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
General election
General election for Montana House of Representatives District 51
Incumbent Frank Fleming defeated Anne Giuliano in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Frank Fleming (R) | 53.2 | 2,638 | |
 | Anne Giuliano (D) | 46.8 | 2,319 | |
| Total votes: 4,957 | |||
| = 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 51
Anne Giuliano advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Anne Giuliano | 100.0 | 1,162 |
| Total votes: 1,162 | |||
| = 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 51
Incumbent Frank Fleming advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Frank Fleming | 100.0 | 1,310 | |
| Total votes: 1,310 | |||
| = 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
General election
General election for Montana House of Representatives District 51
Incumbent Frank Fleming defeated Darryl Wilson in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Frank Fleming (R) | 50.2 | 1,840 | |
| Darryl Wilson (D) | 49.8 | 1,825 | ||
| Total votes: 3,665 | |||
| = 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 51
Darryl Wilson advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Darryl Wilson | 100.0 | 745 | |
| Total votes: 745 | |||
| = 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 51
Incumbent Frank Fleming advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 51 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Frank Fleming | 100.0 | 925 | |
| Total votes: 925 | |||
| = 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
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 Margaret MacDonald (D) did not seek re-election because of term-limits.
Adam Rosendale defeated Shoots Veis in the Montana House of Representatives District 51 general election.[19][20]
| Montana House of Representatives, District 51 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Adam Rosendale |
53.81% | 2,049 | |
| Democratic | Shoots Veis | 46.19% | 1,759 | |
| Total Votes | 3,808 | |||
| Source: Montana Secretary of State | ||||
Shoots Veis ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 51 Democratic primary.[21][22]
| Montana House of Representatives, District 51 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Shoots Veis (unopposed) | |
Adam Rosendale ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 51 Republican primary.[23][24]
| Montana House of Representatives, District 51 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Adam Rosendale (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 10, 2014; minor party and independent candidates had until June 2, 2014, to file. District 54 incumbent Margie MacDonald was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Tony O'Donnell defeated Landan Cheney in the Republican primary. MacDonald defeated O'Donnell in the general election. Incumbent Kelly McCarthy (D) ran in District 49.[25][26][27]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Margie MacDonald Incumbent |
50.2% | 1,323 | |
| Republican | Tony O'Donnell | 49.8% | 1,311 | |
| Total Votes | 2,634 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Tony O'Donnell |
69.3% | 614 |
| Landan Cheney | 30.7% | 272 |
| Total Votes | 886 | |
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. Kelly McCarthy (D) defeated Taj Mukadam (R) in the general election. McCarthy defeated Lita Pepion in the Democratic primary. Mukadam was unopposed in the Republican primary.[28][29][30]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kelly McCarthy |
67.5% | 1,985 | |
| Republican | Taj Mukadam | 32.5% | 956 | |
| Total Votes | 2,941 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Kelly McCarthy |
79.4% | 493 |
| Lita Pepion | 20.6% | 128 |
| Total Votes | 621 | |
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Montana House of Representatives District 51 raised a total of $374,838. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $11,359 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Montana House of Representatives District 51 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $82,165 | 3 | $27,388 |
| 2022 | $28,730 | 2 | $14,365 |
| 2020 | $60,032 | 2 | $30,016 |
| 2018 | $28,397 | 2 | $14,199 |
| 2016 | $17,117 | 2 | $8,559 |
| 2014 | $39,514 | 3 | $13,171 |
| 2012 | $15,678 | 3 | $5,226 |
| 2010 | $8,431 | 2 | $4,216 |
| 2008 | $32,471 | 2 | $16,236 |
| 2006 | $18,875 | 3 | $6,292 |
| 2004 | $16,672 | 4 | $4,168 |
| 2002 | $14,446 | 2 | $7,223 |
| 2000 | $12,310 | 3 | $4,103 |
| Total | $374,838 | 33 | $11,359 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Confirmed via email with the Montana State Legislature on 8/6/2011
- ↑ Montana Constitution, "Article V, Section 3," accessed February 9, 2021
- ↑ The Constitution of the State of Montana, "Article 5, Section 4," accessed May 22, 2025
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2024 Offices, Qualifications, and Fees," accessed May 27, 2025
- ↑ "Montana Secretary of State, "Declaration for Nomination and Oath of Candidacy," accessed May 29, 2025
- ↑ "Montana Secretary of State, "Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy," accessed May 29, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Montana State Constitution, "Article 4, Section 8," accessed February 9, 2021
- ↑ U.S. Term Limits, "State Legislative Term Limits," accessed February 4, 2021
- ↑ Montana Legislature, "Montana Code Annotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statute 5-2-402 (3) (a)-(c))
- ↑ Montana Legislature, "Montana Code Annotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statute 5-2-405 (1)-(2))
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 All About Redistricting, "Montana," accessed April 29, 2015
- ↑ Montana State Legislature, "Districting and Apportionment Commission," accessed October 6, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Daily Montanan, "Redistricting Commission votes to send map to the legislature for recommendations," December 21, 2022
- ↑ Montana State Legislature, "Constitution of Montana -- Article V -- THE LEGISLATURE," accessed June 2, 2022
- ↑ Montana Public Radio, "Redistricting commission adopts final legislative maps," February 13, 2023
- ↑ Montana Free Press, "Explaining the why and the where of Montana’s new legislative districts," February 13, 2023
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed December 21, 2016
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed March 24, 2016
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 primary election - June 7, 2016," accessed June 7, 2016
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed March 24, 2016
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 primary election - June 7, 2016," accessed June 7, 2016
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed October 29, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide Primary Election Canvass," accessed June 30, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide General Election Canvass," accessed November 16, 2015
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Elections Candidate Information," accessed October 23, 2013
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislatve Primary Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
