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United States Senate election in Montana, 2026

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2024
U.S. Senate, Montana
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 4, 2026
Primary: June 2, 2026
General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Montana

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending
Inside Elections: Solid Republican
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
U.S. Senate, Montana
U.S. Senate1st2nd
Montana elections, 2026
U.S. Congress elections, 2026
U.S. Senate elections, 2026
U.S. House elections, 2026

Voters in Montana will elect one member to the U.S. Senate in the general election on November 3, 2026. The primary is June 2, 2026. The filing deadline is March 4, 2026. The election will fill the Class II Senate seat held by Steve Daines (R), who first took office in 2015. For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

General election

The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.

General election for U.S. Senate Montana

Alani Bankhead is running in the general election for U.S. Senate Montana on November 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Michael BlackWolf, Michael Hummert, and Reilly Neill are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 2, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Incumbent Steve Daines and Charles A. Walking Child are running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 2, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Candidate profiles

There are currently no candidate profiles created for this race. Candidate profiles will appear here as they are created. Encourage the candidates in this race to complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey so that their profile will appear here.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Montana

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

No candidate in this race has completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia is seeking 100 percent participation so voters can learn more about all the candidates on their ballots.


Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Steve Daines Republican Party $6,715,883 $2,970,840 $3,852,826 As of September 30, 2025
Alani Bankhead Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Michael BlackWolf Democratic Party $92 $92 $0 As of September 30, 2025
Michael Hummert Democratic Party $10,000 $200 $10,545 As of September 30, 2025
Reilly Neill Democratic Party $118,672 $102,737 $15,365 As of September 30, 2025
Charles A. Walking Child Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]

Race ratings: U.S. Senate election in Montana, 2026
Race trackerRace ratings
12/23/202512/16/202512/9/202512/2/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Decision Desk HQ and The HillPendingPendingPendingPending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe Republican
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Montana in the 2026 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Montana, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2026
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Montana U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A 1% of annual salary 3/4/2026 Source
Montana U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 5% of total votes cast for successful candidate in the last general election 1% of annual salary 6/1/2026 Source


Election history

The section below details election results for this state's U.S. Senate elections dating back to 2018.

2024

See also: United States Senate election in Montana, 2024

General election
General election for U.S. Senate Montana

Tim Sheehy defeated incumbent Jon Tester, Sid Daoud, and Robert Barb in the general election for U.S. Senate Montana on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Tim Sheehy
Tim Sheehy (R)
 
52.6
 
319,682
Image of Jon Tester
Jon Tester (D)
 
45.5
 
276,305
Image of Sid Daoud
Sid Daoud (L) Candidate Connection
 
1.2
 
7,272
Robert Barb (G)
 
0.7
 
4,003

Total votes: 607,262
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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Incumbent Jon Tester defeated Michael Hummert in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jon Tester
Jon Tester
 
97.0
 
104,279
Image of Michael Hummert
Michael Hummert
 
3.0
 
3,272

Total votes: 107,551
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 U.S. Senate Montana

Tim Sheehy defeated Brad Johnson and Charles A. Walking Child in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Tim Sheehy
Tim Sheehy
 
73.6
 
139,857
Image of Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson
 
19.4
 
36,926
Image of Charles A. Walking Child
Charles A. Walking Child Candidate Connection
 
7.0
 
13,229

Total votes: 190,012
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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Green primary election
Green primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Michael Downey defeated Robert Barb in the Green primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Michael Downey
 
62.4
 
679
Robert Barb
 
37.6
 
410

Total votes: 1,089
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.

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Sid Daoud advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Montana.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2020

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Montana

Incumbent Steve Daines defeated Steve Bullock in the general election for U.S. Senate Montana on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Daines
Steve Daines (R)
 
55.0
 
333,174
Image of Steve Bullock
Steve Bullock (D)
 
45.0
 
272,463

Total votes: 605,637
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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Steve Bullock defeated John Mues and Mike Knoles (Unofficially withdrew) in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 2, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Bullock
Steve Bullock
 
95.5
 
144,949
John Mues
 
2.5
 
3,740
Image of Mike Knoles
Mike Knoles (Unofficially withdrew) Candidate Connection
 
2.1
 
3,165

Total votes: 151,854
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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Incumbent Steve Daines defeated John B. Driscoll and Daniel Larson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 2, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Daines
Steve Daines
 
88.0
 
192,942
Image of John B. Driscoll
John B. Driscoll Candidate Connection
 
6.4
 
13,944
Image of Daniel Larson
Daniel Larson
 
5.6
 
12,319

Total votes: 219,205
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.

Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

Green primary election

Green primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Wendie Fredrickson defeated Dennis Daneke in the Green primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 2, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Wendie Fredrickson
Wendie Fredrickson
 
66.4
 
504
Dennis Daneke
 
33.6
 
255

Total votes: 759
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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Libertarian primary election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2018

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Montana

Incumbent Jon Tester defeated Matt Rosendale and Rick Breckenridge in the general election for U.S. Senate Montana on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jon Tester
Jon Tester (D)
 
50.3
 
253,876
Image of Matt Rosendale
Matt Rosendale (R)
 
46.8
 
235,963
Image of Rick Breckenridge
Rick Breckenridge (L)
 
2.9
 
14,545

Total votes: 504,384
(100.00% precincts reporting)
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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates



Election analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.

  • Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
  • Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
  • State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
  • Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.


See also: Presidential voting trends in Montana and The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Cook PVI by congressional district

Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for Montana, 2026
District Incumbent PVI
Montana's 1st Ryan Zinke R+5
Montana's 2nd Troy Downing R+15

2024 presidential results by 2026 congressional district lines

2024 presidential results in congressional districts, Montana
District Kamala Harris Democratic Party Donald Trump Republican Party
Montana's 1st 43.0% 54.0%
Montana's 2nd 34.0% 63.0%
Source: The Downballot

2016-2024

How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:


Following the 2024 presidential election, 71.1% of Montanans lived in one of the state's 49 Solid Republican counties, which voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every election from 2016 to 2024, and 27.2% lived in one of 5 Solid Democratic counties. Overall, Montana was Solid Republican, having voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016, Donald Trump (R) in 2020, and Donald Trump (R) in 2024. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Montana following the 2024 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.

Historical voting trends

Montana presidential election results (1900-2024)

  • 10 Democratic wins
  • 21 Republican wins
Year 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024
Winning Party D R R D D R R R D D D D D R R R D R R R R R R D R R R R R R R R

This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.

U.S. Senate elections

See also: List of United States Senators from Montana

The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Montana.

U.S. Senate election results in Montana
Race Winner Runner up
2024 52.6%Republican Party 45.5%Democratic Party
2020 55.0%Republican Party 45.0%Democratic Party
2018 50.3%Democratic Party 46.8%Republican Party
2014 57.8%Republican Party 40.1%Democratic Party
2012 48.6%Democratic Party 44.9%Republican Party
Average 52.9 44.5

Gubernatorial elections

See also: Governor of Montana

The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Montana.

Gubernatorial election results in Montana
Race Winner Runner up
2024 58.9%Republican Party 38.6%Democratic Party
2020 54.4%Republican Party 40.7%Democratic Party
2016 50.2%Democratic Party 48.3%Republican Party
2012 48.9%Democratic Party 47.3%Republican Party
2008 65.5%Democratic Party 32.5%Republican Party
Average 55.6 41.5
See also: Party control of Montana state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Montana's congressional delegation as of October 2025.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Montana
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 0 0 0
Republican 2 2 4
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 2 4

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Montana's top four state executive offices as of October 2025.

State executive officials in Montana, October 2025
Office Officeholder
Governor Republican Party Greg Gianforte
Lieutenant Governor Republican Party Kristen Juras
Secretary of State Republican Party Christi Jacobsen
Attorney General Republican Party Austin Knudsen

State legislature

Montana State Senate

Party As of October 2025
     Democratic Party 18
     Republican Party 32
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 50

Montana House of Representatives

Party As of October 2025
     Democratic Party 42
     Republican Party 58
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 100

Trifecta control

Montana Party Control: 1992-2025
No Democratic trifectas  •  Fifteen years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R R R R
Senate D D D R R R R R R R R R R D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
House D R R R R R R R R R R R R S S R R S S R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

The table below details demographic data in Montana and compares it to the broader United States as of 2023.

Demographic Data for Montana
Montana United States
Population 1,084,225 331,449,281
Land area (sq mi) 145,549 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White 85.7% 63.4%
Black/African American 0.5% 12.4%
Asian 0.8% 5.8%
Native American 5.7% 0.9%
Pacific Islander 0.1% 0.4%
Other (single race) 1.2% 6.6%
Multiple 6% 10.7%
Hispanic/Latino 4.4% 19%
Education
High school graduation rate 94.6% 89.4%
College graduation rate 34.5% 35%
Income
Median household income $69,922 $78,538
Persons below poverty level 12% 12.4%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2018-2023).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

See also

Montana 2026 primaries 2026 U.S. Congress elections
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Montana congressional delegation
Voting in Montana
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Ballot access

External links

Footnotes

  1. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  2. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  3. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  4. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
Republican Party (4)