Montana has a reputation for being a bit of a maverick state. People here like to say they "vote for the person, not the party." But honestly, if you look at the 2024 results, that old-school ticket-splitting tradition is feeling a little thin. It was a massive year for the GOP. Basically, a clean sweep. From the top of the ticket down to the statehouse in Helena, the red wave didn't just ripple—it crested.
If you’re looking for the short answer on who won in Montana, it’s the Republicans. All of them.
The Big One: Tim Sheehy Knocks Out Jon Tester
This was the race everyone in the country was watching. Seriously, you couldn't turn on a TV in Great Falls or Missoula without seeing a dozen ads for either Jon Tester or Tim Sheehy. It was the most expensive seat in Montana history.
Jon Tester, the three-fingered dirt farmer from Big Sandy, had survived three previous cycles in an increasingly red state. He was the last Democrat holding a statewide office. But the streak ended. Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and aerial firefighting entrepreneur, beat Tester by about 7 points.
- Tim Sheehy (R): 52.6% (319,682 votes)
- Jon Tester (D): 45.5% (276,305 votes)
Sheehy leaned hard into his military background and his alignment with Donald Trump. He talked a lot about the border and inflation. Tester tried to keep it local, focusing on public lands and veteran affairs, but the national gravity of the GOP was just too strong this time. With Sheehy's win, Republicans now hold both of Montana's U.S. Senate seats for the first time since 1911. That's a huge deal. It’s a century-long shift in one night.
Trump Dominates the Top of the Ticket
It’s no surprise Donald Trump won Montana’s four electoral votes. He’s won the state three times now. But the margin in 2024 was even wider than in 2020. He took roughly 58.4% of the vote compared to Kamala Harris’s 38.5%.
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Trump’s influence was everywhere. He held a massive rally in Bozeman back in August that really set the tone for the fall. You've got to understand that in rural Montana, Trump isn't just a candidate; he's a symbol of a specific kind of resistance to federal overreach. Harris performed well in the "blue islands"—Missoula, Gallatin (Bozeman), and Silver Bow (Butte) counties—but the rest of the map was a sea of red.
Greg Gianforte Secures a Second Term
Governor Greg Gianforte also had a very good night. He defeated Democratic challenger Ryan Busse by 20 points. That’s a bigger margin than his first win in 2020.
Gianforte ran on his record of tax cuts and a massive budget surplus. Busse, a former firearms executive, tried to make the race about property taxes and "New Montanans" buying up the state, but it didn't stick enough to bridge a 120,000-vote gap.
Other Statewide Winners
It wasn't just the Governor's office. Every single "down-ballot" statewide race went to a Republican.
- Attorney General: Austin Knudsen won re-election against Ben Alke.
- Secretary of State: Christi Jacobsen held onto her seat.
- State Auditor: James Brown beat John Repke.
- Superintendent of Public Instruction: Susie Hedalen won the open seat.
Basically, if you were a Republican running for a state-level office, you won. It’s that simple.
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The Congressional Districts
Montana has two seats in the U.S. House now, thanks to the 2020 Census.
In the First District (the Western side), Ryan Zinke won a relatively close rematch against Monica Tranel. Zinke got about 52% to Tranel's 45%. It was closer than the Eastern district, but Zinke’s name ID and Trump’s endorsement carried him through.
In the Second District (the Eastern side), it wasn't even a contest. Troy Downing, who was previously the State Auditor, crushed his opponent with about 66% of the vote. This is deep-red country, and the results reflected that.
The Surprise: CI-128 and the Abortion Vote
Here is where things get interesting and "kinda" complicated. While Montanans voted for Republican candidates across the board, they also voted to protect abortion rights.
Constitutional Initiative 128 (CI-128) passed with 57% of the vote.
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This means a lot of people who voted for Trump and Sheehy also voted "Yes" to enshrining reproductive rights in the state constitution. It shows that even in a heavily Republican state, there’s a libertarian streak when it comes to government interference in private lives. Voters basically said, "We like the GOP's economy, but keep your hands off this specific issue."
Why the GOP Swept
Honestly, it came down to the "nationalization" of local races. For decades, Montana Democrats like Max Baucus or Brian Schweitzer won by being "Montana First" and distancing themselves from D.C.
In 2024, that became almost impossible. The GOP successfully tied Jon Tester to the Biden-Harris administration on every single issue. When the national mood is sour on things like the cost of eggs or gas, the incumbent usually pays the price, regardless of how many miles they've logged on their tractor.
Also, the demographics are changing. A lot of people moved to Montana during the pandemic. While the "Silicon Valley" types moved to Bozeman, a huge number of conservative-leaning retirees and families moved to places like the Flathead Valley. They brought their politics with them.
Actionable Insights for Following Montana Politics
If you’re trying to keep up with what happens next in the Big Sky State, here’s what you should actually do:
- Watch the 2025 Legislative Session: Republicans have a massive majority. They will likely move fast on property tax reform and judicial appointments. This is where the rubber meets the road for Gianforte’s second term.
- Monitor the CI-128 Implementation: Now that the abortion amendment passed, expect legal challenges or "clarification" bills in Helena. The fight isn't over just because the vote happened.
- Follow Tim Sheehy’s Committee Assignments: As a freshman Senator in a GOP-controlled Senate, his influence on public lands and defense will be something to watch. If he gets a seat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, it’s a big win for the state’s mining and logging interests.
- Keep an eye on the "Blue Islands": Watch how cities like Missoula and Bozeman react to state-level policies. We might see more friction between local city councils and the state legislature over things like zoning and housing.
The 2024 election didn't just decide who won in Montana for the moment; it fundamentally reset the state's political identity for the next decade. The "purple" state era is officially on hiatus.