Willis Curdy

Willis Curdy

Democratic Party

Montana State Senate District 49

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Diane Sands

Prior offices

Montana House of Representatives District 98

Successor: Bob Carter

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Compensation

Base salary

$104.86/legislative day

Per diem

$171/day

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

High school

Corvallis High School

Bachelor's

University of Montana, 1971

Graduate

University of Montana, 1987

Personal

Birthplace

Corvallis, Mont.

Profession

Educator

Contact

Official website

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Willis Curdy (Democratic Party) is a member of the Montana State Senate, representing District 49. He assumed office on January 2, 2023. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.

Curdy (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Montana State Senate to represent District 49. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Willis Curdy (Democratic Party) was a member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing District 98 from 2015 to 2022.

Biography

Willis Curdy was born in Corvallis, Montana, and lives in Missoula. Curdy graduated from Corvallis High School. Curdy earned a B.A. in history from the University of Montana in 1971 and a master's degree in education from the University of Montana in 1987. His career experience includes working as a pilot with U.S. Forest Service and as a teacher at Missoula County Public Schools.

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

Curdy was assigned to the following committees:

• Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee, Vice Chair
• Fish and Game Committee
• Senate Natural Resources Committee

2021-2022

Curdy was assigned to the following committees:

• House Natural Resources Committee, Vice Chair
• Agriculture Committee
• Business and Labor Committee

2019-2020

Curdy was assigned to the following committees:

• Business and Labor Committee
• Agriculture Committee
• House Natural Resources Committee, Vice Chair

2017 legislative session

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

Montana committee assignments, 2017
• Agriculture
• Business and Labor
• Natural Resources

2015 legislative session

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

Montana committee assignments, 2015
• Transportation
• Business and Labor
• Agriculture

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

2022

See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Montana State Senate District 49

Willis Curdy defeated Brad Tschida in the general election for Montana State Senate District 49 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Willis Curdy (D)	54.4	5,630
		Brad Tschida (R)	45.6	4,714

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,344
= 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 49

Willis Curdy advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 49 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Willis Curdy	100.0	2,942

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,942
= 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 State Senate District 49

Brad Tschida defeated Nancy Burgoyne in the Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 49 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brad Tschida	75.6	2,283
	Submit photo	Nancy Burgoyne	24.4	737

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,020
= 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 98

Incumbent Willis Curdy defeated Nancy Burgoyne and Richard Armerding in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 98 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Willis Curdy (D)	58.6	3,583
	Submit photo	Nancy Burgoyne (R)	36.5	2,229
		Richard Armerding (L)	4.9	302

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,114
= 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 98

Incumbent Willis Curdy advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 98 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Willis Curdy	100.0	2,141

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,141
= 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 98

Nancy Burgoyne advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 98 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Nancy Burgoyne	100.0	1,230

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,230
= 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. Richard Armerding advanced from the Libertarian primary for Montana House of Representatives District 98.

2018

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Montana House of Representatives District 98

Incumbent Willis Curdy defeated Jim Sadler and Jessuah Bardgett in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 98 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Willis Curdy (D)	60.3	3,210
		Jim Sadler (R)	36.3	1,931
	Submit photo	Jessuah Bardgett (L)	3.4	181

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,322
= 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 98

Incumbent Willis Curdy advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 98 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Willis Curdy	100.0	1,568

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 1,568
= 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 98

Jim Sadler advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 98 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Sadler	100.0	773

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 773
= 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 Willis Curdy defeated Michael Ellsworth in the Montana House of Representatives District 98 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 98 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Willis Curdy Incumbent	59.65%	2,989
	Republican	Michael Ellsworth	40.35%	2,022
Total Votes				5,011
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Incumbent Willis Curdy defeated Michael Bowles in the Montana House of Representatives District 98 Democratic primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 98 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Willis Curdy Incumbent	74.67%	1,232
	Democratic	Michael Bowles	25.33%	418
Total Votes				1,650
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Michael Ellsworth ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 98 Republican primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 98 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Michael Ellsworth  (unopposed)

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. Willis Curdy defeated Heather Cahoon and Greg Strandberg in the Democratic primary. Roger Seewald was unopposed in the Republican primary. Curdy defeated Seewald in the general election. Incumbent Andrew Person (D) ran in District 96. David August (R) filed to run, but was removed from the ballot before the primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 98 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Willis Curdy	60.1%	2,266
	Republican	Roger Seewald	39.9%	1,505
Total Votes				3,771

Montana House of Representatives, District 98 Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Willis Curdy	49.7%	644
Heather Cahoon	41.2%	535
Greg Strandberg	9.1%	118
Total Votes		1,297

Endorsements

In 2014, Curdy's endorsements included:

• State Sen. David Wanzenried (D)
• State Rep. Carolyn Squires (D)

2010

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2010

Curdy was a Democratic candidate for District 100 in the Montana House of Representatives in the November 2, 2010, state legislative elections. Curdy had no opposition in the primary and was defeated by Champ Edmunds (R) in the November 2 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 100 General Election (2010)
Candidates		Votes
Champ Edmunds (R)		1,884
Willis Curdy (D)		1,618

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Willis Curdy did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Willis Curdy did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Curdy's website highlighted the following campaign themes:

“

Small Business/Economic Opportunities Equal pay for women Promote mentorship/entrepreneurial programs for Montana small business owners Continue funding for local community development programs Work to expand high speed/increased bandwidth internet access across Montana Promote workforce training programs Work for affordable child care Education Improve educational opportunities for all students in all subjects Freeze college and university tuition at current levels for Montana residents Expand early childhood education opportunities Work to increase high school graduation rates Health Care Support Medicaid expansion Broaden mental health care programs Support access to reproductive health care Montana Seniors Oppose legislation denying Montana Seniors the right to vote Support current Medicare programs Montana Veterans Enhance programs to encourage businesses to hire veterans Continue funding job training programs for veterans Help veterans deal with PTSD related law enforcement issues Montana Recreationists Expanding Montana’s block management program Work to expand access to Montana’s public lands Oppose any efforts to overturn Montana’s stream access laws and access-related court decisions Support clean air & clean water

”

Campaign finance summary

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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.

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Willis Curdy campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Montana State Senate District 49	Won general	$84,440	$0
2020	Montana House of Representatives District 98	Won general	$4,720	N/A**
2018	Montana House of Representatives District 98	Won general	$4,773	N/A**
2016	Montana House of Representatives, District 98	Won	$5,764	N/A**
2014	Montana House of Representatives, District 98	Won	$7,992	N/A**
Grand total			$107,690	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections 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 and 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 Montana scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].
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].

In 2023, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 2 to May 2. Forward Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. Montana Audubon Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Federation of Public Employees Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. Montana Human Rights Network Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Montana State AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].
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].

In 2021, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 4 to April 29. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Forward Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. Montana Audubon Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Farm Bureau Federation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Montana Federation of Public Employees Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. Montana Human Rights Network Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Montana Public Interest Research Group Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana State AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. Montanans for Limited Government Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].
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].

In 2019, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 7 through April 25. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Montana Audubon Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Environmental Information Center: 2019 Senate and House voting records Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment. Montana Farm Bureau Federation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Montana Human Rights Network Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Montana Public Interest Research Group Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana State AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
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].

In 2017, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 2 through April 28. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Lewistown Tea Party: 2017 House and Senate scorecard Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party. Montana Audubon Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Montana Contrators' Association Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to the interests of the construction industry. Montana Environmental Information Center: 2017 Senate and House voting records Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment. Montana Farm Bureau Federation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Montana Human Rights Network Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Montana State AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to property owners' interests.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].
In 2016, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 5 through April 28. Americans for Prosperity Montana Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Lewistown Tea Party: 2015 House and Senate scorecard Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party. MEA-MFT: 2015 Legislature Legislators are scored on bills deemed important by MEA-MFT to the state teachers' union. Montana Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on business and economic issues. Montana Conservation Voters: 2015 State Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to conservation and the environment. Montana Family Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes for or against Montana Family Foundation's position. Montana Sportsmen Alliance Legislators are scored on bills relating to public land management and wildlife issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Montana: 2015 Voting Record Legislators are scored on bills relating to reproductive health issues. Northern Plains Resource Council: Voting Record - 2015 Montana Legislature Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. United Property Owners of Montana: 2015 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to property rights.

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Officeholder

Montana State Senate District 49

Website

Personal

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Diane Sands (D)	Montana State Senate District 49 2023-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Montana House of Representatives District 98 2015-2023	Succeeded by Bob Carter (D)

[show]

Current members of the Montana State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Matt Regier

Majority Leader:Tom McGillvray

Senators

District 1

Mike Cuffe (R)

District 2

Dave Fern (D)

District 3

Carl Glimm (R)

District 4

John Fuller (R)

District 5

Matt Regier (R)

District 6

Mark Noland (R)

District 7

Greg Hertz (R)

District 8

Susan Webber (D)

District 9

Bruce Gillespie (R)

District 10

Jeremy Trebas (R)

District 11

Daniel Emrich (R)

District 12

Wendy McKamey (R)

District 13

Joshua Kassmier (R)

District 14

Russel Tempel (R)

District 15

Gregg Hunter (R)

District 16

Jonathan Windy Boy (D)

District 17

Bob Phalen (R)

District 18

Kenneth Bogner (R)

District 19

Barry Usher (R)

District 20

Sue Vinton (R)

District 21

Gayle Lammers (R)

District 22

Daniel Zolnikov (R)

District 23

Emma Kerr-Carpenter (D)

District 24

Mike Yakawich (R)

District 25

Dennis Lenz (R)

District 26

Tom McGillvray (R)

District 27

Vince Ricci (R)

District 28

Forrest Mandeville (R)

District 29

John Esp (R)

District 30

Cora Neumann (D)

District 31

Pat Flowers (D)

District 32

Denise Hayman (D)

District 33

Christopher Pope (D)

District 34

Shelley Vance (R)

District 35

Tony Tezak (R)

District 36

Sara Novak (D)

District 37

Derek Harvey (D)

District 38

Becky Beard (R)

District 39

Wylie Galt (R)

District 40

Laura Smith (D)

District 41

Janet Ellis (D)

District 42

Mary Dunwell (D)

District 43

Jason Ellsworth (R)

District 44

Theresa Manzella (R)

District 45

Denley Loge (R)

District 46

Jacinda Morigeau (D)

District 47

Ellie Boldman (D)

District 48

Andrea Olsen (D)

District 49

Willis Curdy (D)

District 50

Shane Morigeau (D)

Republican Party (32)

Democratic Party (18)