Montana Voter Guide
Below you can find information on the contests in Montana for Governor, Senate, Secretary of State, and the U.S. House. Incumbents (those who currently hold the office) are marked with an asterisk.
Additionally, there are many other races — and in many states, propositions and ballot measures — that will be voted on this year and will have a profound impact on young people’s lives. Find out more about these races and view your complete ballot by checking out Rock the Vote’s election resources.
The Governor is the head of the executive branch and the highest state office position. The Governor is elected by the popular vote every four years. Governors are responsible for implementing state laws and overseeing the operation of the state executive branch. They are elected to 4-year terms.
Where They Stand…
Mike Cooney
Democrat
Greg Gianforte
Republican
Voting Rights and Democracy Reform
Do you support efforts to expand voting rights and access to democracy?
Mike Cooney: Yes
Greg Gianforte: No
Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform
Do you support policies that will advance racial justice?
Mike Cooney: Yes
Greg Gianforte: No
Do you support efforts to reform the criminal justice system?
Mike Cooney: Yes
Greg Gianforte: No
Do you support efforts to decriminalize and/or legalize marijuana usage for those over the age of 18?
Mike Cooney: Yes
Greg Gianforte: No
Climate Change
Do you support efforts to advance a clean energy agenda and combat the effects of man-made climate change?
Mike Cooney: Yes
Greg Gianforte: No
Student Debt
Do you support efforts to make college more affordable for all students and ease the debt burden for graduates?
Mike Cooney: Yes
Greg Gianforte: N/A
Economic Opportunity
Do you support raising the minimum wage?
Mike Cooney: Yes
Greg Gianforte: No
LGBTQ+ Equality
Do you support equal rights and protections for LGBTQ+ people?
Mike Cooney: Yes
Greg Gianforte: No
Gun Violence Prevention
Do you support common-sense gun violence prevention measures, such as background checks and limits on high-capacity magazines?
Mike Cooney: N/A
Greg Gianforte: No
Health Care Access and Affordability
Do you support affordable and accessible health care coverage as a right for all Americans and commit to maintaining protections for pre-existing conditions?
Mike Cooney: Yes
Greg Gianforte: No
Do you support a woman’s right to quality, affordable healthcare, which includes access to comprehensive contraception and abortion-related care?
Mike Cooney: Yes
Greg Gianforte: No
Coronavirus Response
Do you support a stronger federal response to the coronavirus, including widespread testing and long-term economic relief to those struggling financially during the pandemic?
Mike Cooney: N/A
Greg Gianforte: No
Immigration Reform
Do you support a comprehensive immigration reform agenda that includes an end to inhumane detention policies and a path to citizenship?
Mike Cooney: N/A
Greg Gianforte: No
Endorsements
To show which candidates are champions for the issues you care about, we’ve listed the endorsements each candidate has received from Rock the Vote Action Fund partners that are progressive movement leaders on the above issue areas. These key partners include Planned Parenthood Votes, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, Latino Victory Fund, Color of Change PAC, as well as any of their state affiliates.
Mike Cooney
Democrat
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana
Human Rights Campaign PAC
Montana Conservation Voters
Greg Gianforte
Republican
A Senator serves in the United States Senate, which is the upper chamber of the United States Congress. A senator’s job is to represent the people living in their state. A significant part of their role is to write and vote on new laws, confirm judicial and Cabinet nominees, and ratify treaties. They are elected for 6-year terms.
Where They Stand…
Steve Bullock
Democrat
Steve Daines*
Republican
Voting Rights and Democracy Reform
Do you support efforts to expand voting rights and access to democracy?
Steve Bullock: N/A
Steve Daines: No
Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform
Do you support policies that will advance racial justice?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: N/A
Do you support efforts to reform the criminal justice system?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: Yes
Do you support efforts to decriminalize and/or legalize marijuana usage for those over the age of 18?
Steve Bullock: No
Steve Daines: N/A
Climate Change
Do you support efforts to advance a clean energy agenda and combat the effects of man-made climate change?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: No
Student Debt
Do you support efforts to make college more affordable for all students and ease the debt burden for graduates?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: N/A
Economic Opportunity
Do you support raising the minimum wage?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: N/A
LGBTQ+ Equality
Do you support equal rights and protections for LGBTQ+ people?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: No
Gun Violence Prevention
Do you support common-sense gun violence prevention measures, such as background checks and limits on high-capacity magazines?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: No
Health Care Access and Affordability
Do you support affordable and accessible health care coverage as a right for all Americans and commit to maintaining protections for pre-existing conditions?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: No
Do you support a woman’s right to quality, affordable healthcare, which includes access to comprehensive contraception and abortion-related care?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: No
Coronavirus Response
Do you support a stronger federal response to the coronavirus, including widespread testing and long-term economic relief to those struggling financially during the pandemic?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: No
Immigration Reform
Do you support a comprehensive immigration reform agenda that includes an end to inhumane detention policies and a path to citizenship?
Steve Bullock: Yes
Steve Daines: No
Endorsements
To show which candidates are champions for the issues you care about, we’ve listed the endorsements each candidate has received from Rock the Vote Action Fund partners that are progressive movement leaders on the above issue areas. These key partners include Planned Parenthood Votes, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, Latino Victory Fund, Color of Change PAC, as well as any of their state affiliates.
Steve Bullock
Democrat
Planned Parenthood Votes
NARAL Pro-Choice America
Human Rights Campaign PAC
League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and Montana Conservation Voters
Steve Daines*
Republican
The Secretary of State is an elected state executive officer. They serve as the state’s chief election officer and play a significant role in the state’s voter registration and voting processes and in managing state ballot initiatives. They are elected for 4-year terms.
Where They Stand…
Bryce Bennett
Democrat
Christi Jacobsen*
Republican
Voting Rights and Democracy Reform
Do you support efforts to expand voting rights and access to democracy?
Bryce Bennett: Yes
Christi Jacobsen: No
Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform
Do you support policies that will advance racial justice?
Bryce Bennett: N/A
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Do you support efforts to reform the criminal justice system?
Bryce Bennett: N/A
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Do you support efforts to decriminalize and/or legalize marijuana usage for those over the age of 18?
Bryce Bennett: N/A
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Climate Change
Do you support efforts to advance a clean energy agenda and combat the effects of man-made climate change?
Bryce Bennett: N/A
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Student Debt
Do you support efforts to make college more affordable for all students and ease the debt burden for graduates?
Bryce Bennett: Yes
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Economic Opportunity
Do you support raising the minimum wage?
Bryce Bennett: N/A
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
LGBTQ+ Equality
Do you support equal rights and protections for LGBTQ+ people?
Bryce Bennett: Yes
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Gun Violence Prevention
Do you support common-sense gun violence prevention measures, such as background checks and limits on high-capacity magazines?
Bryce Bennett: N/A
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Health Care Access and Affordability
Do you support affordable and accessible health care coverage as a right for all Americans and commit to maintaining protections for pre-existing conditions?
Bryce Bennett: Yes
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Do you support a woman’s right to quality, affordable healthcare, which includes access to comprehensive contraception and abortion-related care?
Bryce Bennett: N/A
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Coronavirus Response
Do you support a stronger federal response to the coronavirus, including widespread testing and long-term economic relief to those struggling financially during the pandemic?
Bryce Bennett: N/A
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Immigration Reform
Do you support a comprehensive immigration reform agenda that includes an end to inhumane detention policies and a path to citizenship?
Bryce Bennett: N/A
Christi Jacobsen: N/A
Endorsements
To show which candidates are champions for the issues you care about, we’ve listed the endorsements each candidate has received from Rock the Vote Action Fund partners that are progressive movement leaders on the above issue areas. These key partners include Planned Parenthood Votes, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, Latino Victory Fund, Color of Change PAC, as well as any of their state affiliates.
Bryce Bennett
Democrat
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana
League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and Montana Conservation Voters
Christi Jacobsen*
Republican
A U.S. Representative serves in the United States House, which is the lower chamber of the U.S. Congress. A Congressperson’s job is to represent the people living in their district. A significant part of their role is to write and vote on new laws. They are elected for 2-year terms.
Where They Stand…
Kathleen Williams
Democrats
Matt Rosendale
Republican
Voting Rights and Democracy Reform
Do you support efforts to expand voting rights and access to democracy?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: N/A
Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform
Do you support policies that will advance racial justice?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: N/A
Do you support efforts to reform the criminal justice system?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: N/A
Do you support efforts to decriminalize and/or legalize marijuana usage for those over the age of 18?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: N/A
Climate Change
Do you support efforts to advance a clean energy agenda and combat the effects of man-made climate change?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: No
Student Debt
Do you support efforts to make college more affordable for all students and ease the debt burden for graduates?
Kathleen Williams: N/A
Matt Rosendale: No
Economic Opportunity
Do you support raising the minimum wage?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: No
LGBTQ+ Equality
Do you support equal rights and protections for LGBTQ+ people?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: No
Gun Violence Prevention
Do you support common-sense gun violence prevention measures, such as background checks and limits on high-capacity magazines?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: No
Health Care Access and Affordability
Do you support affordable and accessible health care coverage as a right for all Americans and commit to maintaining protections for pre-existing conditions?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: No
Do you support a woman’s right to quality, affordable healthcare, which includes access to comprehensive contraception and abortion-related care?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: No
Coronavirus Response
Do you support a stronger federal response to the coronavirus, including widespread testing and long-term economic relief to those struggling financially during the pandemic?
Kathleen Williams: Yes
Matt Rosendale: No
Immigration Reform
Do you support a comprehensive immigration reform agenda that includes an end to inhumane detention policies and a path to citizenship?
Kathleen Williams: N/A
Matt Rosendale: No
Endorsements
To show which candidates are champions for the issues you care about, we’ve listed the endorsements each candidate has received from Rock the Vote Action Fund partners that are progressive movement leaders on the above issue areas. These key partners include Planned Parenthood Votes, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, Latino Victory Fund, Color of Change PAC, as well as any of their state affiliates.
Kathleen Williams
Democrat
Planned Parenthood Votes
Human Rights Campaign PAC
League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and Montana Conservation Voters
Kathleen Williams
Democrat
LR-130 seeks to remove a local government’s power to regulate the permitted carrying of concealed weapons, including repealing the existing authority of local governments to restrict the open carry of firearms at public assemblies, parks, and school grounds.
This information brought to you in partnership with the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center.
Methodology
To determine the candidates’ stances on the above issues, Rock the Vote Action Fund researched their websites, public statements, debate performances, and voting records. When too little or no information was available on a topic, we listed “N/A” for “Not available.” If a candidate’s record or statements were mixed on an issue, we used our best judgment to classify their overall position to provide the clearest picture to young voters about who will stand up and be an advocate on the issues important to them.