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Willis Curdy

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Willis Curdy
Democratic Party
Candidate, Montana State Senate District 49
Montana State Senate District 49
Tenure
2023 - Present
Term ends
2027
Years in position
3
Predecessor: Diane Sands (D)
Prior offices:
Montana House of Representatives District 98
Years in office: 2015 - 2023
Successor: Bob Carter (D)
Compensation
Base salary
$128.86/legislative day
Per diem
$206/day
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 8, 2022
Next election
June 2, 2026
Education
High school
Corvallis High School
Bachelor's
University of Montana, 1971
Bachelor's
University of Montana
Graduate
University of Montana, 1987
Graduate
University of Montana
Personal
Birthplace
Corvallis, MT
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) is running for re-election to the Montana State Senate to represent District 49. He is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on June 2, 2026.[source]

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.[1]

Committee assignments

2025-2026

Curdy was assigned to the following committees:

2023-2024

Curdy was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

Curdy was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Curdy 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
• Business and Labor
• Natural Resources

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Curdy 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.

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

Democratic primary

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 49

Incumbent Willis Curdy (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 49 on June 2, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Willis Curdy
Willis Curdy

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

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

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 49

Brad Tschida (R) is running in the Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 49 on June 2, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Brad Tschida
Brad Tschida

There are no incumbents in this race.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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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 49

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

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Willis Curdy
Willis Curdy (D)
 
54.4
 
5,630
Image of Brad Tschida
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 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 State Senate District 49

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

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Willis Curdy
Willis Curdy
 
100.0
 
2,942

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

Total votes: 2,942
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 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
✔
Image of Brad Tschida
Brad Tschida
 
75.6
 
2,283
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
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 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 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
✔
Image of Willis Curdy
Willis Curdy (D)
 
58.6
 
3,583
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Nancy Burgoyne (R)
 
36.5
 
2,229
Image of Richard Armerding
Richard Armerding (L) Candidate Connection
 
4.9
 
302

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

Total votes: 6,114
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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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
✔
Image of Willis Curdy
Willis Curdy
 
100.0
 
2,141

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

Total votes: 2,141
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 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
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
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 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. 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
✔
Image of Willis Curdy
Willis Curdy (D)
 
60.3
 
3,210
Image of Jim Sadler
Jim Sadler (R)
 
36.3
 
1,931
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jessuah Bardgett (L)
 
3.4
 
181

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

Total votes: 5,322
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 98

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

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Willis Curdy
Willis Curdy
 
100.0
 
1,568

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

Total votes: 1,568
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 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
✔
Image of Jim Sadler
Jim Sadler
 
100.0
 
773

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

Total votes: 773
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 Willis Curdy defeated Michael Ellsworth in the Montana House of Representatives District 98 general election.[2][3]

Montana House of Representatives, District 98 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png 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.[4][5]

Montana House of Representatives, District 98 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png 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.[6][7]

Montana House of Representatives, District 98 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png 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.[8][9][10]

Montana House of Representatives, District 98 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngWillis 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
Green check mark transparent.pngWillis 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:[11]

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.[12][13]

Montana House of Representatives, District 100 General Election (2010)
Candidates Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Champ Edmunds (R) 1,884
Willis Curdy (D) 1,618

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Willis Curdy has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Willis Curdy, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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2022

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[11][14]
 ”

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.

Willis Curdy campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2022Montana State Senate District 49Won general$84,440 $0
2020Montana House of Representatives District 98Won general$4,720 N/A**
2018Montana House of Representatives District 98Won general$4,773 N/A**
2016Montana House of Representatives, District 98Won $5,764 N/A**
2014Montana House of Representatives, District 98Won $7,992 N/A**
Grand total$107,690 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.

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External links

Officeholder

Montana State Senate District 49
  • Website
    		•

    Personal

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
    		•

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Facebook, "Willis Curdy," accessed March 28, 2023
    2. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed August 22, 2016
    3. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed December 21, 2016
    4. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed March 24, 2016
    5. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 primary election - June 7, 2016," accessed June 7, 2016
    6. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed March 24, 2016
    7. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2016 primary election - June 7, 2016," accessed June 7, 2016
    8. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Candidate Filing List: Legislative," accessed October 29, 2014
    9. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide Primary Election Canvass," accessed June 30, 2014
    10. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide General Election Canvass," accessed November 16, 2015
    11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Willis Curdy for House District 98, "Why Vote for Me?" accessed May 15, 2014
    12. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Legislative Primary Canvass - June 08, 2010," accessed April 21, 2014
    13. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2010 Legislative General Election Canvass," accessed April 21, 2014
    14. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

    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)


    Current members of the Montana State Senate
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    Majority Leader:Tom McGillvray
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