In June’s primary election, Seeley-Swan voters had 12 candidates for the Montana Statehouse to choose from on their ballots, along with levies related to local government studies.
According to Montana’s Secretary of State tabulations, voter turnout statewide for the primary election was 40.9%, with 308,226 voters turning in ballots out of the 753,698 registered voters. Missoula County’s turnout was a bit lower, coming in at 39.5%.
After the decennial redistricting process, some of the state House and Senate districts were rearranged pertaining to Seeley-Swan voters. Seeley Lake was drawn out of House District 92 and now sits in House District 76 with Ovando, Phillipsburg and Deer Lodge, but not Greenough or Condon. This election year was the first time the new maps were used since they were finalized in 2023.
Three competitive state house races were on the primary ballot for Seeley-Swan voters.
In HD 76, current Representative John Fitzpatrick of HD 77 won relatively narrowly against Dave Kesler III. With 20 out of 20 precincts reporting as of June 10, Fitzpatrick had 1,465 votes to Kesler’s 1,368.
Fitzpatrick will run against Libertarian Elena Gagliano in the general election.
Senate District 38 — encompassing Seeley Lake, Ovando, Deer Lodge, Philipsburg and Boulder — had a three-way battle in the Republican primary between current Senator Becky Beard of SD 40, current Rep. Gregory Frazer of HD 78 and Jeremy Mygland. With 30 out of 30 precincts reporting as of June 10, Beard was in the lead with 2,532 votes followed by Frazer with 1,371 and Myglad close behind with 1,340.
Beard will face off against Democrat Jeffrey Benson in the general election.
SD 46 — with East Missoula, Condon, Greenough, Ronan and the East Rattlesnake area — had a primary between two Democratic candidates, Jacinda Morgieau and C.B. Pearson, with Morgieau getting 1,759 votes to Pearson’s 1,501. Fourteen out of 14 precincts had reported fully in this race as of June 10.
Morigeau will run against Republican Charles Headly in the general election.
A noncompetitive election was on the ballot in HD 92, which includes the East Rattlesnake area, East Missoula, Greenough and Condon. Republican Ted Morgan and Democrat Connie Keogh will face off in the general election on Nov. 5.
Voters in Missoula County rejected both the city and county local government study levies. These are offered to voters every ten years. These studies, if passed, offer an opportunity for local government structures to be reviewed — like the legislative functions of city councils or county commissioners and executive branch functions like hiring staff — and can shift the power between local legislative and executive branches, according to reporting from Montana Free Press.
On the ballot for a second time, city of Missoula voters approved the fire and emergency services levy, with 63% of voters supporting and 37% against.
According to Montana Free Press, the revenue provided by this levy — $7 million in its first year, with the owner of a $300,000 home paying $138 and the owner of a $600,000 home paying $276 in taxes — will provide Missoula’s Fire Department with 20 new firefighters and a new fire station, along with providing permanent support for the city’s mobile support team, which responds to behavioral health-related 911 calls. These levies will appear on 2024 tax bills for residents within Missoula city limits.
“On behalf of our entire department, we are grateful to the voters for their overwhelming support,” said Gordy Hughes, Fire Chief of the City of Missoula Fire Department. “This levy will enable us to maintain and improve our capabilities, ensuring that we are always ready to respond efficiently and effectively to emergencies. The community’s trust and investment in their department is invaluable, and we are committed to serving with the dedication and professionalism that Missoula deserves.”
More information on statewide elections can be found through Montana Free Press or the Secretary of State.
Perfectly competent at too many things
Keely's journalism career started with staff positions at the Lone Peak Lookout and The Madisonian in southwest Montana and freelancing for Dance Spirit Magazine.
In 2023, she completed a legislative reporting fellowship with KFF Health News during Montana's 68th legislative session and graduated with an MA in Environmental Journalism from the University of Montana. Keely completed a summer fire reporting internship with Montana Free Press in 2022.
Her bylines include Scientific American, Modern Farmer, U.S. News & World Report, CBS News, The New Republic, KFF Health News, Montana Free Press, Ars Technica, Mountain Journal and Outside Business Journal.
She also is a producer and editor for a Montana Public Radio podcast.
Keely received her undergraduate degrees in History and Religious Studies from Montana State University in 2017.
In her spare time, she's dancing, drinking processo and running around the mountains.
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