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.  

“I think it’s necessary to have more than just one Democrat for such a large area with so many people,” Fern said. “Though I recognize that it’s a very conservative county. We saw that in the elections.” 

With 73% of the county’s vote counted as of Wednesday morning, Republicans swept the ballot from the presidential race to county commissioners. Fern, though, led Republican candidate Doug Adams with 52% of the vote as of Wednesday morning, netting 6,629 votes compared to Adam’s 5,998.  

Powers defeated Republican Cathy Mitchell in House District 3 with 52% of the vote, securing 3,445 votes to Mitchell’s 3,208.  

“I’m feeling really good about it ...” Powers said Wednesday afternoon. “[Democrats] just have to work harder than ever, we worked so hard on this election ... I just hope people will not be discouraged, that they stay hopeful.”

Flathead County voters also reelected a slate of conservatives, including longtime Republican Carl Glimm for Senate District 3. Glimm defeated Democrat Angela Kennedy with 70% of the vote.  

Republican Rep. Braxton Mitchell secured his return to Helena against Democrat Steve Paugh in House District 5, earning 4,553 votes compared to Paugh’s 1,622. 

Also among those reelected were former Speaker of the House Matt Regier and his sister, Rep. Amy Regier. Both are Republicans. 

"I’m excited for America and I’m excited for the state of Montana,” Matt Regier said Wednesday morning.  

The reason for the near Republican clean sweep, he said, was because Montanans resonate with the commonsense ideas espoused by conservatives. Conservatives now have a mandate, he said. 

Matt Regier secured Senate District 5 after terming out of the House, defeating Democrat Link Neimark with 74% of the vote  

Rep. Amy Regier, who chaired the House Judiciary Committee in 2023, beat Velvet Phillip Sullivan in House District 6 with 69% of the vote.  

A freshman legislator in 2023, Rep. Courtenay Sprunger will return to Helena to represent downtown Kalispell in 2025. Sprunger came out on top of Democrat Arthur Fretheim after securing 65% of ballots cast. 

“It was a strongly conservative night for our state,” Sprunger said of Tuesday. “I think we are certainly seeing a conservative lean within this state ... I think it was really a night of wins for common sense.”   

Newcomer Republicans Tom Millet, Lyn Bennett and Lukas Schubert will also go to Helena for the first time, representing House Districts 2, 4 and 8 respectively. Their Democratic counterparts were Brad Simonis, Lindsey Jordan and Beth Sibert.  

In other races across the valley, Republican Steve Kelly beat Democrat Joanne Morrow in House District 9, Republican Terry Falk topped Democrat Devin Marconi in House District 10, Republican Ed Byrne won against Democrat Jennifer Allen in House District 11 and Republican Tracy Sharp beat out Democrat Barry Olson in House District 12.  

Flathead Valley electors also backed Republican candidates for statewide office. Republican Christi Jacobsen is returning to Helena as Montana Secretary of State alongside Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen. Republican James Brown beat John Repke for state auditor and Republican Susie Hedalen won State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Republican Bowen Greenwood will be the next clerk of the Montana Supreme Court.  

Republican Jennifer Fielder also secured a victory as public service commissioner for District 4. She ran against Elena Evans.  

Flathead Valley voters differed from the state on some constitutional amendments and judicial decisions. In Flathead County, voters backed both Dan Wilson and Cory Swanson for the Supreme Court. While Swanson beat out rival Jeremiah Lynch statewide, Wilson ultimately came up short against Katherine Bidegaray.   

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at khesotn@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.

    Dave Fern