GOP dominates Flathead races; two Democrats headed to Legislature

In what turned out to be a GOP-led rout in Montana in Tuesday’s election, voters in two Flathead Valley districts elected Democrats to the state Legislature, flipping a seat after redistricting. 

“The 2025 session will probably have some competing ideas, which is good,” said longtime Democratic lawmaker Dave Fern, who was elected to represent Senate District 2 in the statehouse. 

Fern, a policy junkie and the sole Flathead Valley Democrat in the statehouse for almost a decade, said he was excited at the prospect of returning to Helena with another Flathead Democrat. Voters sent political newcomer and Democrat Debo Powers to victory in House District 3.