November's Helena-area ballot takes shape after seven contested legislative primary races

November's ballots are taking shape in seven contested Helena-area legislative races after Tuesday's primary election.

According to preliminary election results as of noon Wednesday from the Montana secretary of state's office, a highly targeted Republican state representative will be on November's Senate ballot as a favorite, and several new faces will be coming to the Legislature representing parts of Helena.

Though there were several uncontested races across the area, seven contested primaries made Lewis and Clark County one of the counties to watch in Tuesday's election.

Contested races

In Helena’s west valley, Megan Lane defeated Qasim W. Abdul-Baki for the Democratic House District 80 nomination after Melissa Romano did not run for reelection. Lane brought in 62% of the vote, while Abdul-Baki took home 38%.

Lane is projected to take on Republican Katie Fruits of Helena, who ran unopposed.

In the Queen City’s downtown and the northeast valley, Janet Ellis defeated Ben Kuiper 63% to 37% in the House District 81 Democratic primary. The seat is currently held by Democrat Mary Caferro.

Ellis, currently a state senator, will face Republican John J. Looney Sr. in November.

“I want to thank my family, all of my volunteers and supporters, and everyone who voted for me!!” Ellis wrote on social media Wednesday morning. “I’m also excited to continue talking with voters about the issues they care about — and representing them in the Montana House in January 2027.”

In the Tri-Lakes area, Republican Roy Caldwell is expected to face Democrat Tia Nelson for the House District 84 seat after they each defeated their respective party competitor.

Caldwell took 62% of the vote over fellow Republican James Marshal’s 38%.

“Thank you House District 84!” Caldwell wrote on social media on Wednesday. “I am honored to be your Republican Nominee.”

Though the race grew tighter as votes were tallied, Nelson beat Democrat Jamie Van Valkenburg in the Democratic primary 52% to 48%.

“I will represent the people, ALL the people, of Montana,” Nelson wrote. “Thank you all for your support.”

The HD 84 seat is currently held by Republican Julie Darling of Helena.

In the Helena Valley's Senate District 41 Democratic primary, Erin Farris-Olsen routed Dana Toole 70%-30%.

Farris-Olsen of Helena will take on the unopposed Libertarian Dru Koester of East Helena for the Senate District 41 seat, which is currently held by Ellis, who is running for the HD 81 seat after terming out of the Senate.

In northern Lewis and Clark County, Republican Justin W. Cleveland of Fairfield will face off against Democrat Chris Bechtold of Choteau for House District 17 in November.

Cleveland took 58% of the vote against Michael J. Fasbender of Helena (19%) and Susan Giese of Helena (24%).

Cleveland begins the next leg of the legislative race with Fasbender’s support, Fasbender said on social media.

“Had a good conversation with Justin Cleveland earlier tonight and told him congratulations on his win,” he said on Tuesday. “I’m thankful that a conservative is going to hold on to this seat.”

The three competed after Republican Zack Wirth of Wolf Creek, the current HD 17 representative, tried for Senate District 9.

But Wirth, who aimed to represent an area spanning Birdseye to the Canadian border in one of the most high-profile races this primary season, fell to stalwart Republican Llew Jones, the House District 18 representative, in a tight 52% to 48% contest.

Jones will face unchallenged Democrat Noy Holland of Choteau. The SD 9 seat is currently held by Republican Bruce “Butch” Gillespie.

The race went as Jones expected, he said. Lewis and Clark County rallied for Wirth as rural voters swung harder for Jones.

"I am happy and well," Wirth said Wednesday. "No tears shed on my part, but I do shed tears for the state of Montana."

In southeast Lewis and Clark County, Republican Stephen LaPraim won a three-way battle against Nicholas Lancette and Mike Talia, all from Helena, for the Republican Senate District 42 nod.

LaPraim took home 40% of the vote, followed by Talia at 35% and Lancette with 25%.

“Well folks we are moving to the next round!” LaPraim celebrated online. “I thank God for this blessing. … To Nick Lancette, and Mike Talia thank you for stepping up and running a good race.”

In November, LaPraim will face incumbent Democratic Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell of Helena, who ran unopposed.

Uncontested races

Not all races were competitive, and some candidates advanced straight to the November general election without a challenger.

On Helena’s west side, incumbent Democrat Luke Muszkiewicz will take on Republican Chiko Olson for the House District 79 seat.

Near the airport and the southeast valley of Helena, incumbent Democrat Pete Elverum will face Republican Clinton McKay for the House District 82 seat.

In East Helena, Democrat Joe Cohenour succeeds his wife, current Democratic Rep. Jill Cohenour, and will face Republican Aaron Leas for the House District 83 seat. All are from East Helena.

Around Boulder, three candidates will appear on the November ticket for the House District 75 seat: incumbent Republican Mark Reinschmidt of Whitehall, Libertarian Greg DeVries of Jefferson City and Democrat Patrick Sullivan of Clancy.

In Townsend and the Three Forks areas, incumbent Republican Jane Gillette of Three Forks will take on Democrat Deborah Anne Hansen of Manhattan to see who will represent House District 77.