With a rather fiery flourish, the candidate filing deadline closed last Wednesday, March 4, leaving vacancies for the seats currently held by U.S. Sen. Steve Dainess and Rep. Ryan Zinke in its wake.

Last week, both Republicans announced they plan to step down at the end of their terms on Dec. 31, which widens the field for competitors. Zinke announced March 2 he wouldn’t be seeking a fourth term, citing health issues related to “a career in Special Operations.”

Then, much to the surprise of aspiring candidates and political onlookers alike, Daines declared March 4 that he wouldn’t be running for office, withdrawing from the race just moments after U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme filed, and shortly before the 5 p.m. filing deadline.

He cited a desire to spend more time with family and the extensive traveling required of his Senate post as reasons to step down next January. In an interview with Semafor, he also defended his behind-the-scenes efforts to frontload Alme support from the White House and key Montana Republicans as a way to “make sure we didn’t have a very expensive Senate race” if Democrats Jon Tester, Brian Schwitzer or Steve Bullock had decided to run at the last moment.

However, a few Republicans appeared to be in on the secret, with Lee Calhoun of Whitefish and Charles Walking Child of Helena also filing March 4, alongside Libertarian Tom Jandron of Clancy, and Democrat Christopher Kehoe.

Another high-profile candidate, former University of Montana president Seth Bodner, also filed Wednesday as the race’s lone Independent.

Already on the primary ballot are Libertarian Kyle Austin of Billings, and four Democrats: Michael Hummert and Alani Bankhead, both of Helena, Michael Black Wolf of Hays and Reilly Neill, Livingston.

Meanwhile, an already congested field of candidates for the U.S. House more than doubled last week as four Republicans, an Independent and a Libertarian entered the fray. Orthopedic surgeon Al “Doc” Olszewski of Kalispell returns – having run for governor in 2020 and against Zinke in 2022. He’ll face conservative talk-show host Aaron Flint, also of Kalispell, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobson, Helena, and Ray Curtis, Bonner, in the primary.

Libertarian Nick Sheedy of Columbia Falls and Independent Kimberly Persico of Hot Springs also joined the race for the Western District last week.

Democrats Russell Cleveland, Matt Rains, Ryan Busse and Sam Forstag all jumped in the ring well in advance of Zinke’s departure and will face off in the June primary.

At the state level, a few primary contests have emerged for Lake County voters.

Two Republicans aspire to replace incumbent Annie Bukacek on the Public Service Commission: David Sanders and Joe Dooling, both of Helena. On the Democratic side, Helena resident Kevin Hamm – who also ran for the PSC in 2022 – is making a second attempt.

In Senate District 8, which straddles the Blackfeet and Flathead Reservations, Democrats Tyson Running Wolf of Browning and Jade-Heather Ackerman of Cut Bank will compete in the primary for the seat now held by Susan Weber. The winner faces Republican Christopher Buckles of St. Ignatius in the general election.

Three of Lake County’s four House Districts also have primary contests:

In HD 13, three-term incumbent Republican Linda Reksten, Polson, faces newcomer Finley Warden, who describes himself as a “Christian Conservative.” Reksten, who heads the House Education Committee, has been targeted by the far-right Americans for Prosperity, which has sent out mailers decrying the conservative Republican’s budget votes. The winner faces Democrat Dalton Bradford, also of Polson.

In HD 15, which includes portions of the Blackfeet and Flathead reservations, incumbent Democrat Thedis Crowe, first elected in 2024, seeks to keep her seat from Democrat Adrien Owen Wagner, Heart Butte, in the primary; the winner faces Republican challenger Ralph Foster of St. Ignatius.

In HD 91, which includes Lake, Missoula and Sanders counties, first term Representative and former CSKT Tribal Council chair Shelly Fyant of Arlee faces another Democrat, Rustin Bielski of Missoula, in the primary. The winner runs against Republican Charles Headley.

Finally, two Republicans are seeking to replace Lake County Commissioner Bill Barron, who is seeking his fourth term in office. It’s a three-way race apt to be decided at the primary, where Barron faces Jesse Hernandez and William Mitalski.

Two candidates, Max Krantz and Allen Branine, have filed for three seats on the Lake County Conservation District currently held by Allen Branine, Susan Gardner and Sigurd Jensen, whose terms all expire at the end of 2026.

Non-contested primary races include: 

Supreme Court, Justice 4: Incumbent Amy Eddy vs. Dan Wilson, both of Kalispell

20th Judicial District: John Mercer (dept. 2) and Molly Owen (dept. 1), both of Polson

Senate District 6: Incumbent Mark Noland (R) and Patrick Fitzpatrick (D), both of Bigfork

House District 12: Incumbent Tracy Sharp (R), Polson, and Cindy Bruckner (D), Bigfork