Montana gubernatorial election, 2016

Montana gubernatorial election, 2016

November 8, 2016

Nominee Steve Bullock Greg Gianforte Party Democratic Republican Running mate Mike Cooney Lesley Robinson Popular vote 250,571 231,897 Percentage 50.2% 46.4%

Governor before election Steve Bullock Democratic Elected Governor Steve Bullock Democratic

The 2016 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2016, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Montana, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

The primaries were held on June 7.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Steve Bullock won reelection to a second term in office with 50.2% of the vote. Despite the Democratic gubernatorial victory in Montana, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton lost the state with just 35.7% of the vote to Republican nominee Donald Trump's 56.9%.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Steve Bullock, incumbent Governor

• Running mate: Mike Cooney, incumbent Lieutenant Governor^[1]

• Bill McChesney, former State Representative^[2]

• Running mate: Mike Anderson

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Steve Bullock	109,450	91%
	Democratic	Bill McChesney	10,486	9%
Total votes			119,936	100%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Greg Gianforte, founder of RightNow Technologies and conservative activist^[3][4][5]

• Running mate: Lesley Robinson, Phillips County Commissioner

• Terry Nelson

• Running mate: Niki Sardot

Withdrawn

• Brad Johnson, Chairman of the Montana Public Service Commission and former Secretary of State of Montana^[6]
• Mark Perea, businessman and nominee for the State Senate in 2012^[7] (did not file)

Declined

• Tim Fox, Attorney General of Montana (running for re-election)^[3]
• Ryan Zinke, U.S. Representative (running for re-election)^[3]
• Taylor Brown, State Senator^[8]
• Jeff Essman, State Representative and former President of the State Senate^[9]

Endorsements

Greg Gianforte

Conrad Burns, former U.S. Senator[10] Steve Daines, U.S. Senator[11] Tim Fox, Attorney General of Montana[12] Rick Hill, former U.S. Representative[10] Ron Marlenee, former U.S. Representative[10] Judy Martz, former Governor of Montana[12] Marc Racicot, former Governor of Montana[12] Denny Rehberg, former U.S. Representative[10] Stan Stephens, former Governor of Montana[12] Ryan Zinke, U.S. Representative[11] Montana Farm Bureau Federation[13] Montana Chamber of Commerce[14] National Federation of Independent Business[15]

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Greg Gianforte	109,882	76%
	Republican	Terry Nelson	33,987	24%
Total votes			143,869	100%

Third Parties and Independents

Independent

Declared

• Christopher Zarcone^[16]

Libertarian

Declared

• Ted Dunlap, perennial candidate^[17]

• Running mate: Ron Vandevender, perennial candidate

Withdrew

• Ron Vandevender, perennial candidate^[16]

General election

Endorsements

Greg Gianforte

Governors Marc Racicot, Montana (former)[18] Judy Martz, Montana (former)[18] State officials Tim Fox, Montana Attorney General[18] U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Montana[18] Conrad Burns, Montana (former)[18] U.S. Representatives Ryan Zinke, Montana's at-large congressional district[18] Denny Rehberg, Montana's at-large congressional district (former)[18] Rick Hill, Montana's at-large congressional district (former)[18] Ron Marlenee, Montana's 2nd congressional district (former)[18] Organazations National Rifle Association[18] Gun Owners of America[18] Susan B. Anthony List[18] National Federation of Independent Business[18] Montana Chamber of Commerce[18] Montana Farm Bureau Federation PAC[18]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Bullock (D)	Greg Gianforte (R)	Ted Dunlap (L)	Other	Undecided
SurveyMonkey	November 1–7, 2016	449	± 4.6%	44%	46%	7%	—	3%
SurveyMonkey	October 31–November 6, 2016	410	± 4.6%	45%	44%	8%	—	3%
SurveyMonkey	October 28–November 3, 2016	403	± 4.6%	46%	46%	7%	—	1%
SurveyMonkey	October 27–November 2, 2016	376	± 4.6%	48%	43%	7%	—	2%
SurveyMonkey	October 26–November 1, 2016	385	± 4.6%	51%	41%	7%	—	1%
SurveyMonkey	October 25–31, 2016	405	± 4.6%	53%	39%	7%	—	1%
Mason-Dixon	October 10–12, 2016	1,003	± 3.2%	47%	45%	2%	—	6%
Montana State University Billings	October 3–10, 2016	590	± 4.0%	44%	32%	3%	—	20%

References

1. Dennison, Mike (March 1, 2016). "Bullock files for re-election for governor". KTVQ. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
2. "Former legislator steps into Democratic governor's race". Independent Record. March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
3. "AG Tim Fox files paperwork for re-election in 2016". The Bozeman Daily Chronicle. November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
4. McCumber, David (August 17, 2015). "Gianforte files exploratory papers for governor". The Montana Standard. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
5. Calvin, Bobby (January 20, 2016). "Gianforte officially launches campaign for Montana governor". The Missoulian. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
6. "Brad Johnson drops out of race for Montana governor". Billings Gazette. January 27, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
7. Carter, Troy (February 1, 2015). "First contestant enters GOP gubernatorial field". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
8. Flint, Aaron (January 26, 2015). "Report: Taylor Brown Doesn't Rule Out Run for Governor". Northern Broadcasting System. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
9. Jacobson, Louis (January 23, 2015). "Democrats Have More Seats to Defend in 2015-2016 Governors Races". Governing. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
10. "Former US Senator Conrad Burns, Former US Reps Rehberg, Hill, and Marlenee Endorse Gianforte-Robinson Ticket". Greg Gianforte for Montana. April 12, 2016.
11. "Daines, Zinke Endorse Greg Gianforte, Lesley Robinson For Gov., Lt. Gov. Of Montana". Fairfield Sun Times. April 5, 2016.
12. "Montana Attorney General Tim Fox, Former Governors Endorse Gianforte-Robinson Ticket". Greg Gianforte for Montana. April 11, 2016.
13. "Gianforte-Robinson Land Important Endorsement in 2016 Election, AG is Montana's Number One Industry". Greg Gianforte for Montana. April 21, 2016.
14. "GIANFORTE/ROBINSON LAND ENDORSEMENT FROM MONTANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE". National Federation of Independent Business. June 17, 2016.
15. "NFIB Endorses Greg Gianforte for Governor". National Federation of Independent Business. August 16, 2016.
16. Carter, Troy (February 1, 2015). "First contestant enters GOP gubernatorial field". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
17. Backus, Perry (March 20, 2016). "Libertarian from Conner running for governor". Independent Record. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
18. "Endorsements". gregformontana.com. Retrieved October 30, 2016.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Steve Bullock (D) for Governor
• Greg Gianoforte (R) for Governor
• Ron Vandevender (L) for Governor