Ellie Boldman

Ellie Boldman

Democratic Party

Montana State Senate District 47

Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2029

Years in position

0

Prior offices

Montana House of Representatives District 90

Successor: Marilyn Marler

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Montana State Senate District 45

Predecessor: Dick Barrett

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Compensation

Base salary

$104.86/legislative day

Per diem

$171/day

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Boise State University, 1997

Law

University of Idaho College of Law, 2001

Personal

Religion

Christian: Catholic

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Personal website

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Ellie Boldman (Democratic Party) (formerly Ellie Hill Smith) is a member of the Montana State Senate, representing District 47. She assumed office on January 6, 2025. Her current term ends on January 3, 2029.

Boldman (Democratic Party) (formerly Ellie Hill Smith) ran for re-election to the Montana State Senate to represent District 47. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Ellie Boldman earned a B.S. in psychology from Boise State University in 1997 and a J.D. from the University of Idaho in 2001. Her career experience includes working as an assistant district attorney, as executive director at The Poverello Center, Inc, and as a licensed attorney at the Law Offices of Ellie Hill Smith.

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

Boldman was assigned to the following committees:

• Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee
• Finance and Claims Committee
• Senate Local Government Committee
• Senate Rules Committee

2021-2022

Boldman was assigned to the following committees:

• Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee
• Finance and Claims Committee
• Senate Local Government Committee, Vice Chair
• Senate Rules Committee

2017 legislative session

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

Montana committee assignments, 2017
• Human Services
• Judiciary

2015 legislative session

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

Montana committee assignments, 2015
• Human Services, Vice Chair
• Judiciary

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2013
• Human Services
• Judiciary
• Legislative Administration

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Montana committee assignments, 2011
• Human Services
• Judiciary
• Legislative Administration

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

2024

See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Montana State Senate District 47

Incumbent Ellie Boldman defeated Abigail Maki in the general election for Montana State Senate District 47 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ellie Boldman (D)	58.9	7,858
	Submit photo	Abigail Maki (R)	41.1	5,486

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,344
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 47

Incumbent Ellie Boldman advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 47 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ellie Boldman	100.0	3,507

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,507
= 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 47

Abigail Maki defeated Erica Siate in the Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 47 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Abigail Maki	67.5	1,495
	Submit photo	Erica Siate	32.5	720

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,215
= 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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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Boldman in this election.

2020

See also: Montana State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Montana State Senate District 45

Ellie Boldman defeated Susan Campbell Reneau and Nolen Skime in the general election for Montana State Senate District 45 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ellie Boldman (D)	61.1	7,045
	Submit photo	Susan Campbell Reneau (R)	35.1	4,045
	Submit photo	Nolen Skime (L)	3.8	435

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,525
= 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

• Mike Warner (R)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 45

Ellie Boldman defeated Erica Siate and Benjamin Burda in the Democratic primary for Montana State Senate District 45 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ellie Boldman	80.4	3,346
	Submit photo	Erica Siate	13.8	575
	Submit photo	Benjamin Burda	5.8	242

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,163
= 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 45

Mike Warner advanced from the Republican primary for Montana State Senate District 45 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Mike Warner	100.0	2,010

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,010
= 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

Libertarian primary for Montana State Senate District 45

Nolen Skime defeated Terry Lucke in the Libertarian primary for Montana State Senate District 45 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Nolen Skime	55.0	11
	Submit photo	Terry Lucke	45.0	9

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20
= 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

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2018

Ellie Hill Smith was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.

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 Ellie Hill defeated Bill Murray in the Montana House of Representatives District 90 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 90 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ellie Hill Incumbent	60.72%	3,113
	Republican	Bill Murray	39.28%	2,014
Total Votes				5,127
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Incumbent Ellie Hill ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 90 Democratic primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 90 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Ellie Hill Incumbent (unopposed)

Bill Murray ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 90 Republican primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 90 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Bill Murray  (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. District 94 incumbent Ellie Hill was unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election. Incumbent Edward Greef (R) ran in District 88.

2012

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2012

Hill won re-election in the 2012 election for Montana House of Representatives, District 94. Hill defeated Pete Burridge and Lou Ann Crowley in the June 5 primary election and defeated Lyn Hellegaard (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

Montana House of Representatives, District 94, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ellie Hill Incumbent	64.1%	3,271
	Republican	Lyn Hellegaard	35.9%	1,834
Total Votes				5,105

Montana House of Representatives, District 94 Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Ellie Hill Incumbent	58.3%	941
Lou Ann Crowley	39.5%	638
Pete Burridge	2.2%	36
Total Votes		1,615

2010

See also: Montana House of Representatives elections, 2010

On November 2, 2010, Hill won election to the Montana House of Representatives. Hill defeated Lou Ann Crowley in the primary 719-621. She had no opposition in the November 2 general election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ellie Boldman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Ellie Boldman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Boldman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Representative Ellie Boldman Hill, named by Time Magazine as one of the "40 Under 40 Political Rising Stars" in the United States, has served four terms in the Montana House of Representatives. In 2006, Ellie was hired to serve as the Executive Director of one of Western Montana's best-known and beloved nonprofit organizations. The Poverello Center, Inc., founded in 1974, is the State of Montana's largest emergency homeless shelter and soup kitchen located in the heart of downtown Missoula. Since Ellie took the helm, the organization has been voted by readers of the Missoula Independent, "Missoula's Best Non Profit Organization", and Ellie has been personally voted "Missoula's Best Activist" for eleven straight years (2007 to 2018) for her advocacy for the impoverished and her political engagement on progressive causes. In November 2010, Ellie won a hotly contested election and was elected to the Montana House of Representatives, where she has been re-elected for four terms. Since roaming the halls of the Montana Capitol, Ellie has traveled to the Jordanian Embassy in Middle East with American Council of Young Political Leaders, visited President Barack Obama in the White House with the Young Elected Officials Network, elected national Vice President for the Young Democrats of America, and spoken for thousands as a keynote or panelist for the Aspen Institute, Conference on Word Affairs, Netroots Nation, Center for American Women in Politics, amongst many others.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Proven voice for progressive values.
• Missoula's champion.
• Common sense leader.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Ellie has served in leadership positions in the Montana Capitol as Co-chair of the House Human Services Committee, last session overseeing Medicaid Expansion, opening the door to health insurance for 70,000 Montanans. She now serves on the national Executive Board of NCSL (National Council of State Legislatures), the bipartisan organization representing all fifty states and on the national board of directors of AAUW (American Association of University Women), The Washington Post named Ellie one of the state's "Best Political Tweeters" (that's Twitter for those who don't "Tweet"!)

As an attorney and a mom, you can find Ellie on the front lines fighting for the underdog, listening to old vinyl records, and drinking a good Montana microbrew.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Charlie in Charlie in the Chocolate Factory

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Imagine, by John Lennon

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Climate change!

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2012

Hill's website highlighted themes including accountable and cooperative government, public education, equality, the right to choose, women's rights, renewable energy, and conservation.

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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Ellie Boldman campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Montana State Senate District 47	Won general	$-3,264	$0
2020	Montana State Senate District 45	Won general	$9,227	N/A**
2016	Montana House of Representatives, District 90	Won	$1,680	N/A**
2014	Montana House of Representatives, District 90	Won	$1,445	N/A**
2012	Montana House, District 94	Won	$13,310	N/A**
2010	Montana House, District 94	Won	$9,430	N/A**
** 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

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.

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.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].
In 2014, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Montana State Legislature was in session from January 7 to April 27. Lewistown Tea Party: 2013 House and Senate scorecard Republican legislators are scored on whether they vote with the Republican Party. MEA-MFT: 2013 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: 2013 State Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on conservative and environmental issues. Montana Contractors' Association Legislators are scored by the Montana Contractors' Association on their votes on "environmental legislation, worker’s comp issues, repressive labor legislation and unfair business and employment practices." Montana Environmental Information Center: 2013 Senate and House voting records Legislators are scored on bills related to the environment. Montana Family Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes for or against Montana Family Foundation's position. Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG): 2013 Montana Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored by MontPIRG on their votes on "issues that best advance the public interest here in our state." Montana Weed Control Association: 2013 Legislative Report & Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to noxious weed management in Montana. NARAL Pro-Choice Montana: 2013 Voting Record Legislators are scored on bills relating to reproductive health issues. Northern Plains Resource Council: Voting Record - 2013 Montana Legislature Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. United Property Owners of Montana: 2013 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills relating to property rights.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].
In 2012, the Montana State Legislature did not hold a regular session.

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Montana State Senate District 47 2025-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by Dick Barrett (D)	Montana State Senate District 45 2021-2025	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Montana House of Representatives District 90 2011-2019	Succeeded by Marilyn Marler (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)