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Wendy McKamey

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Wendy McKamey
Republican Party
Montana State Senate District 12
Tenure
2023 - Present
Term ends
2027
Years in position
3
Predecessor: Carlie Boland (D)
Prior offices:
Montana House of Representatives District 19
Years in office: 2017 - 2023
Montana House of Representatives District 23
Years in office: 2015 - 2017
Compensation
Base salary
$128.86/legislative day
Per diem
$206/day
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 8, 2022
Education
Bachelor's
Brigham Young University, 1969
Personal
Religion
Christian
Profession
Rancher/account executive
Contact
Official website
Personal Facebook
Personal Instagram
Personal LinkedIn

Wendy McKamey (Republican Party) is a member of the Montana State Senate, representing District 12. She assumed office on January 2, 2023. Her current term ends on January 4, 2027.

McKamey (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Montana State Senate to represent District 12. She will not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on June 2, 2026.

Wendy McKamey (Republican Party) was a member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 19 from 2017 to 2022.

Biography

Wendy McKamey earned her B.S. in housing and home management from Brigham Young University in 1969 McKamey's career experience includes working as a community relationship manager for the American Cancer Society and as an account executive for Statewide Publishing and KFBB. She also worked on her family's ranch.[1][2]

Committee assignments

2025-2026

McKamey was assigned to the following committees:

2023-2024

McKamey was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

McKamey was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

McKamey was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2017
• Agriculture
• Ethics, Vice chair
• State Administration, Vice chair
• Transportation

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, McKamey served on the following committees:

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

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 12

Mindy Leach and James Whitaker are running in the Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 12 on June 2, 2026.

Candidate
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Mindy Leach
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James Whitaker

There are no incumbents in this race.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 12

George Nikolakakos and Randy Pinocci are running in the Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 12 on June 2, 2026.

Candidate
Image of George Nikolakakos
George Nikolakakos
Image of Randy Pinocci
Randy Pinocci

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2022

See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Montana State Senate District 12

Wendy McKamey defeated Jacob Bachmeier in the general election for Montana State Senate District 12 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Wendy McKamey
Wendy McKamey (R)
 
56.0
 
3,358
Image of Jacob Bachmeier
Jacob Bachmeier (D) Candidate Connection
 
44.0
 
2,641

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 5,999
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 State Senate District 12

Jacob Bachmeier advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 12 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jacob Bachmeier
Jacob Bachmeier Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
1,175

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,175
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 12

Wendy McKamey defeated Desma Meissner in the Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 12 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Wendy McKamey
Wendy McKamey
 
65.0
 
1,463
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Desma Meissner
 
35.0
 
787

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,250
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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2020

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 19

Incumbent Wendy McKamey defeated George Schultz in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 19 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Wendy McKamey
Wendy McKamey (R)
 
84.9
 
4,288
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
George Schultz (L)
 
15.1
 
762

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 5,050
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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 19

Incumbent Wendy McKamey advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 19 on June 2, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Wendy McKamey
Wendy McKamey
 
100.0
 
2,163

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,163
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

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. George Schultz advanced from the Libertarian primary for Montana House of Representatives District 19.

2018

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 19

Incumbent Wendy McKamey defeated Lynelle Melton in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 19 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Wendy McKamey
Wendy McKamey (R)
 
72.0
 
3,212
Image of Lynelle Melton
Lynelle Melton (D)
 
28.0
 
1,250

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,462
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 19

Lynelle Melton advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 19 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Lynelle Melton
Lynelle Melton
 
100.0
 
847

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 847
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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 19

Incumbent Wendy McKamey defeated Steven Moltzan in the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 19 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Wendy McKamey
Wendy McKamey
 
68.4
 
1,149
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Steven Moltzan Candidate Connection
 
31.6
 
532

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 1,681
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 Wendy McKamey defeated Elaine Olsen in the Montana House of Representatives District 19 general election.[3][4]

Montana House of Representatives, District 19 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Wendy McKamey Incumbent 72.81% 3,328
     Democratic Elaine Olsen 27.19% 1,243
Total Votes 4,571
Source: Montana Secretary of State


Elaine Olsen ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 19 Democratic primary.[5][6]

Montana House of Representatives, District 19 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Elaine Olsen  (unopposed)


Incumbent Wendy McKamey defeated incumbent Randy Pinocci in the Montana House of Representatives District 19 Republican primary.[7][8]

Montana House of Representatives, District 19 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Wendy McKamey Incumbent 61.62% 1,230
     Republican Randy Pinocci Incumbent 38.38% 766
Total Votes 1,996
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. Earl Salley defeated Jack King in the Democratic primary. Wendy McKamey was unopposed in the Republican primary. McKamey defeated Salley in the general election. Incumbent Carlie Boland (D) ran for District 13 of the Montana State Senate.[9][10][11]

Montana House of Representatives, District 23 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngWendy McKamey 50.3% 1,275
     Democratic Earl Salley 49.7% 1,259
Total Votes 2,534
Montana House of Representatives, District 23 Democratic Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngEarl Salley 55% 466
Jack King 45% 381
Total Votes 847

2012

See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2012

McKamey ran in the 2012 election for Montana State Senate, District 10. McKamey ran unopposed in the June 5 primary election and was defeated by Brad Hamlett (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[12][13]

Montana State Senate, District 10, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngBrad Hamlett Incumbent 51.1% 4,078
     Republican Wendy McKamey 48.9% 3,907
Total Votes 7,985

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Wendy McKamey did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Wendy McKamey did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Wendy McKamey did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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.

Wendy McKamey campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2022Montana State Senate District 12Won general$34,547 $0
2020Montana House of Representatives District 19Won general$16,142 N/A**
2018Montana House of Representatives District 19Won general$15,226 N/A**
2016Montana House of Representatives, District 19Won $20,016 N/A**
2014Montana House of Representatives, District 23Won $6,756 N/A**
Grand total$92,687 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards, 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 scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Montana State Legislature in 2025.

In 2024, the Montana State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Montana State Legislature in 2023.

In 2022, the Montana State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Montana State Legislature in 2021.

In 2020, the Montana State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Montana State Legislature in 2019.

In 2018, the Montana State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Montana State Legislature in 2017.

In 2016, the Montana State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Montana State Legislature in 2015.

Noteworthy events

Montana Republican Party censure of nine state senators (2025)

In a statement released on April 4, 2025, the Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) executive committee censured nine Republican state senators: Jason Ellsworth, Butch Gillespie, Gregg Hunter, Joshua Kassmier, Gayle Lammers, Denley Loge, Wendy McKamey, Russel Tempel, and Shelley Vance.[14]

A press release published on the MTGOP website on March 13, 2025, stated, in part, "The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) is strongly rebuking nine Republican state senators who have frequently aligned with Democrats, creating obstacles for the Republican majority in the Senate. Montana voters elected a strong Republican majority last November, expecting leadership that reflects their choices. On Jan. 6th, 2025, the first day of the 69th Legislative session, and continuing to this day, nine Republican Senators have partnered with the Democratic minority to overrule Republican leadership. ... The MTGOP calls on these senators to cease obstructing key Republican priorities and return to the faithful representation of their constituents and the Republican platform. If their actions continue to damage the integrity of the Republican majority, the party will consider additional steps to address the situation."[15] [16][14]

According to the MTGOP, the party's executive committee unanimously voted to censure the senators during a meeting held on March 27, 2025.[17] As part of the censure, the MTGOP said the senators would no longer be acknowledged as Republicans and the party would not grant political funding to them in the future.[16]

In response, the censured senators, with the exception of Sen. Ellsworth, published an open letter to the citizens of Montana saying, "We were elected to serve you, not to follow orders from political insiders. ... Let’s be clear: this censure is nothing more than a distraction—meant to cover up the fact that party leaders have failed to deliver on the core priorities you sent us here to address. ... This censure changes nothing. We’ll keep showing up. We’ll keep delivering. And we’ll keep putting Montana first."[18]

During the 69th legislative session, Republicans held a majority in the Montana State Senate with 32 of the 50 seats, and Democrats held the remaining 18.


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External links

Officeholder

Montana State Senate District 12
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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Montana Republican Party, "Senate District 10, Wendy McKamey," accessed October 9, 2012
    2. ↑ LinkedIn, "Wendy McKamey," accessed March 28, 2022
    3. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed August 22, 2016
    4. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed December 21, 2016
    5. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed March 24, 2016
    6. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 primary election - June 7, 2016," accessed June 7, 2016
    7. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed March 24, 2016
    8. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 primary election - June 7, 2016," accessed June 7, 2016
    9. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed October 29, 2014
    10. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide Primary Election Canvass," accessed June 30, 2014
    11. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide General Election Canvass," accessed November 16, 2015
    12. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
    13. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2012 Legislative Primary Election Canvass," accessed February 13, 2014
    14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 NBC Montana, "Montana GOP censures 9 Senate Republicans for working with Dems", April 4, 2025
    15. ↑ Montana Republican Party, "Montana Republican Party Rebukes Nine Republican Senators for Aligning with Democrats," March 13, 2025
    16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Daily Montanan, "Montana Republican Party censures nine GOP senators; no longer considers them Republicans", April 4, 2025
    17. ↑ Montana Republican Party, "Montana Republican Party Rebukes Nine Republican Senators for Aligning with Democrats", March 13, 2025
    18. ↑ NBC Montana, "Censured Montana Republican senators respond", April 7, 2025

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Carlie Boland (D)     		Montana State Senate District 12
    2023-Present    		 Succeeded by
    -
    Preceded by
    -     		Montana House of Representatives District 19
    2017-2023    		 Succeeded by
    -
    Preceded by
    -     		Montana House of Representatives District 23
    2015-2017    		 Succeeded by
    -


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