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Steve Gunderson
Steve Gunderson (Republican Party) is running for election to the Montana State Senate to represent District 1. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Gunderson (Republican Party) was a member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 1. He assumed office in 2017. He left office on January 6, 2025.
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
Gunderson was assigned to the following committees:
- Business and Labor Committee
- House Local Government Committee
- House Natural Resources Committee, Chair
- House Rules Committee
2021-2022
Gunderson was assigned to the following committees:
- House Local Government Committee
- House Natural Resources Committee, Chair
- House Rules Committee
- Business and Labor Committee
2019-2020
Gunderson was assigned to the following committees:
- Business and Labor Committee
- House Local Government Committee, Vice Chair
- House Natural Resources Committee
2017
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Montana committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Business and Labor |
| • Local Government |
| • Natural Resources |
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
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Montana State Senate District 1
Steve Gunderson is running in the general election for Montana State Senate District 1 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Steve Gunderson (R) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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2024
See also: Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Auditor election, 2024
General election
General election for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor
James Brown defeated John Repke in the general election for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | James Brown (R) | 61.4 | 358,642 |
 | John Repke (D) | 38.6 | 225,251 | |
| Total votes: 583,893 | |||
| = 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 Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor
John Repke advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Repke | 100.0 | 92,480 |
| Total votes: 92,480 | |||
| = 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
- Jordan Ophus (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor
James Brown defeated John Jay Willoughby in the Republican primary for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | James Brown | 69.5 | 114,604 |
 | John Jay Willoughby | 30.5 | 50,212 | |
| Total votes: 164,816 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Steve Gunderson (R)
- Keith Brownfield (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Gunderson in this election.
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 | ||
| ✔ | | Steve Gunderson (R) | 100.0 | 3,220 |
| Total votes: 3,220 | |||
| = 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Steve Gunderson | 100.0 | 1,688 |
| Total votes: 1,688 | |||
| = 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Steve Gunderson (R) | 71.0 | 3,721 |
| Marvin Sather (D) | 29.0 | 1,518 | ||
| Total votes: 5,239 | |||
| = 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
Marvin Sather advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Marvin Sather | 100.0 | 880 | |
| Total votes: 880 | |||
| = 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 1
Incumbent Steve Gunderson advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Steve Gunderson | 100.0 | 2,121 |
| Total votes: 2,121 | |||
| = 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 1
Incumbent Steve Gunderson defeated Donald Coats in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 1 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Steve Gunderson (R) | 72.9 | 3,014 |
| Donald Coats (D) | 27.1 | 1,118 | ||
| Total votes: 4,132 | |||
| = 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 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Steve Gunderson | 100.0 | 1,823 |
| Total votes: 1,823 | |||
| = 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 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.[1][2]
| Montana House of Representatives, District 1 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  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.[3][4]
| Montana House of Representatives, District 1 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Steve Haarstick (unopposed) | |
Steve Gunderson defeated Bill Clark in the Montana House of Representatives District 1 Republican primary.[5][6]
| Montana House of Representatives, District 1 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Steve Gunderson |
64.24% | 1,015 | |
| Republican | Bill Clark | 35.76% | 565 | |
| Total Votes | 1,580 | |||
| Source: Montana Secretary of State | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Steve Gunderson has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Steve Gunderson, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
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2024
Steve Gunderson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Steve Gunderson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Steve Gunderson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Steve Gunderson participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on May 6, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Steve Gunderson's responses follow below.[7]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1. To continue working toward re-building our local and state natural resource extractive economy. Montana was built by timber extraction, mining and agriculture. Out of state green obstructionists have waged a war on our natural resource extractive economy for decades. These groups cite "clean water" as their current battle cry and are pointing at a bygone era of past practices and neglect as if it were current policy. Current technologies, practices of mining companies and reclamation bonding requirements by our outstanding State environmental laws allow Montana Department of Environmental Quality will ensure mining is accomplished safely, sensible and environmentally responsible. We need to reduce outside influences on our economy using the guise of "protecting" our environment.
2. To continue to reduce the size of government. We need to reduce the size of government and it's impacts on our citizens. We need to continue cleanup of our Montana Code Annotated to reduce redundancy and to clarify our laws. 3. We need to reduce taxes and the impacts on our citizens. We need to increase our natural resource extractive tax base to put more money into our economy and to offset personal property and personal income taxes.[8][9] |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | The area of Public Policy that I am personally passionate about is Montana's Natural Resources. The district I represent is rich in timber and mining resources on public lands which are underutilized due to outside forces attempting to lock out industry and the citizens of Montana from reaping the benefits of our renewable bounty and mining resources. Our State economy languishes yet we cannot touch the many Treasures of Montana. I'm passionate about Natural Resources because they were once the staple of our economy but outside forces have stopped us from benefitting from them. I'm passionate about bringing back our once hearty and vibrant economy and reduce the greatest export we have today: our youth.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[9]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Steve Gunderson answered the following:
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?
| “ | My most valuable mentor from my Freshman session was Rep. Kelly Flynn of Townsend, Montana. Kelly was (last session) a 4th term Representative and is as passionate about Montana's natural resources as I am. Kelly was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer yet he endured a grueling special session with the grace and poise that mirrored his philosophy of life "You live for today, you plan for tomorrow, you remember yesterday." Kelly spent many hours explaining concepts that I did not understand and gave me a much different outlook on life. I am honored to call him Friend and fellow Legislator.[9] | ” |
| “ | Learning quickly and on the fly. To be a listener when needed and to speak when appropriate.[9] | ” |
| “ | My current experience as a Legislator. I have found I can be a problem solver as well as an advocate for my constituents when they have problems with a Montana State Agency.[9] | ” |
| “ | I would like to leave a legacy of bringing back jobs and a healthy economy to the district I represent.[9] | ” |
| “ | I am torn between two philosophies about experienced Legislators. On one hand new and inexperienced Legislators can bring a totally new viewpoint to the table to discuss options to a bill or a problem. On the other hand experience cannot be overlooked when working with highly sensitive issues where finesse and experience are a very sought after attribute.[9] | ” |
| “ | Our greatest challenge will be the continued onslaught of constant litigation brought by the green obstructionists movement. Our economy will continue to suffer until we can break free from this stranglehold.[9] | ” |
| “ | The ideal relationship between a governor and the Legislature is for both to be on equal footing with the citizens welfare of the State foremost in any bill or law passed or any bill or law killed in the process.[9] | ” |
| “ | As a member of Natural Resources, I could bring my many years experience as a citizen advocate for mining and natural resource extractive industries.
As a member of Local Government and Business and Labor, I brought 30+ years experienced as a self motivated businessman experienced in working with employees and the public.[9] |
” |
| “ | I was not a part of leadership in my Freshman session (65th Montana Legislature) but in my Sophomore session (66th) I plan to run for one of the Majority Whip positions. I feel it is an obligation of each experienced Legislator to mentor and pass as much greatly needed experience and information to freshman so as to bring the new folks up to speed as soon as possible and to make sure each legislator can be the most effective they can be, as quickly as they can. The job of a Montana Citizen Legislator is not the easiest as there is a steep learning curve due to condensing a 2 year process into 90 legislative days. The citizen Legislator has an experience somewhat akin to "drinking from a fire hose" to absorb the information required to make a good legislator.[9] | ” |
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.
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.
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]. |
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In 2023, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 2 to May 2.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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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]. |
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In 2021, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 4 to April 29.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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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]. |
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In 2019, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 7 through April 25.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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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]. |
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In 2017, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 2 through April 28.
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See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Steve Gunderson's responses," May 6, 2018
- ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Montana House of Representatives District 1 2017-2025 |
Succeeded by - |
