FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 9, 2022

Conservation Candidates Win in Montana’s Midterm Elections

MCV’s endorsed candidates won across the state with several outstanding races yet to be called 

(HELENA, Mont.) – Today, Montana Conservation Voters celebrates the election wins across the state for MCV-endorsed candidates. While the Secretary of State is still calling races, MCV endorsed candidates claimed victory in nearly two dozen seats as of Wednesday afternoon.

“We’re thrilled to congratulate the many pro-conservation, pro-constitution candidates who won their races yesterday,” said Executive Director Whitney Tawney. “Montanans knew our constitutional right to a ‘clean and healthful environment’ was at stake and showed up to reelect Supreme Court Justices Ingrid Gustafson and Jim Rice. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, particularly with a likely anti-conservation supermajority in the 2023 legislative session. But we’re confident that with pro-conservation voters elected to office, we can fight to protect our clean air, clean water and freedom to access to public lands for our kids and future generations.”

As of 5:00 pm 11/10/2022, the following MCV-endorsed candidates won their races:

Statewide

Justice Ingrid Gustafson for the Montana Supreme Court

Justice Jim Rice for the Montana Supreme Court

Gallatin County

Jennifer Boyer, Gallatin County Commission

Audrey Cromwell, Gallatin County Attorney

Alice Buckley, House District 63, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Pat Flowers, Senate District 32, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Jim Hamilton, House District 61, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Denise Hayman, Senate District 33, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Kelly Kortum, House District 65, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Eric Matthews, House District 66

Ed Stafman, House District 62, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Hill County

Paul Tuss, House District 28

Flathead County

Dave Fern, House District 05, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Lewis & Clark County

Kim Abbott, House District 83, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Mary Caferro, House District 82, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Jill Cohenour, House District 84, 99% MCV Lifetime Score

Mary Ann Dunwell, Senate District 42, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Janet Ellis, Senate District 41, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Laura Smith, House District 79

Missoula County

Dave Strohmaier, Missoula County Commission

Bob Carter, House District 98

Willis Curdy, Senate District 49, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Tom France, House District 94, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Jonathan Karlen, House District 96

Connie Keogh, House District 9, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Marilyn Marler, House District 90, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Shane Morigeau, Senate District 48, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Andrea Olsen, Senate District 50, 97% MCV Lifetime Score

Katie Sullivan, House District 89, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Mark Thane, House District 99, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Zooey Zephyr, House District 100

Park County 

Laurie Bishop, House District 60, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

Yellowstone County 

Kathy Kelker, Senate District 24, 97% MCV Lifetime score

Emma Kerr-Carpenter, House District 49, 100% MCV Lifetime Score

MCV’s political action committee, the MCV Action Fund, actively engaged in Montana’s midterm election through strategic investments in support of pro-conservation candidates across the state. Over the course of the election, the MCV Action Fund knocked nearly 10,000 doors, made 13,000 phone calls, sent 50,000 text messages, distributed 331,000 highly targeted mail pieces and created compelling digital advertisements that were viewed more than 400,000 times on various social media platforms. Overall the MCV Action Fund executed one of its largest state campaigns raising and spending over $370,000 to ensure Montana continues to protect public lands, clean air and clean water. MCV also communicates regularly with its members in local communities about MCV-endorsed candidates.

Montana Conservation Voters endorses candidates who share a commitment to acting on climate, protecting our natural resources and smart sustainable growth. All MCV endorsements are made by its independent PAC board with input from local MCV members. MCV is a nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization, which means candidates from all political parties are invited to seek MCV endorsement.