Montana
Contested primaries across Montana's new state legislative districts
HELENA — In addition to all the statewide elections Montanans will be voting in this year, they’ll also be choosing 125 state lawmakers.
Half of the Montana Senate and the entire Montana House will be up for election, and we already know there will be some differences in the Legislature when they arrive for their 2025 session.
The most obvious change for many Montana voters will be that the legislative districts they live in may have changed. This will be the first election cycle under the new district lines that the Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission finalized last year. All 100 House districts and 50 Senate districts have to be redrawn every ten years, after the release of federal census data, to account for shifting populations.
MTN News
Along with the new lines, there are also going to be more contested legislative primaries this year than in 2022. Out of the 125 races, 44 feature at least two Republican candidates, and 15 have multiple Democrats. That’s compared to 31 contested GOP races and 13 Democratic primaries last election.
Cascade County alone has seven contested Republican primaries, and Flathead County has six. Gallatin, Missoula and Lewis and Clark Counties each have three contested Democratic primaries.
The new lines have many incumbent lawmakers shuffling around and seeking to represent a wholly or partly different district. In addition, in 23 races, an incumbent is facing at least one challenger.
Four districts across the state have two current lawmakers facing off in their primaries – all of them Republicans.
Current Reps. Caleb Hinkle, R-Belgrade, and Jennifer Carlson, R-Manhattan, are running against each other in House District 68, in northwest Gallatin County. Additionally, former House Speaker and Senate President Scott Sales is also in the GOP primary there.
Two House members – Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway, R-Great Falls, and Rep. Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton – are facing off for an open Senate seat in Senate District 13, which covers Chouteau County and much of rural Cascade County.
In Ravalli County, Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton, is running for reelection in Senate District 44. She’s being challenged by Rep. Wayne Rusk, R-Corvallis, as well as a third GOP candidate, Brad Davis of Victor.
In Senate District 38, which covers Powell, Granite and Jefferson Counties, Sen. Becky Beard, R-Elliston, is running for a full term after being appointed to the Senate. The other candidates in the primary include Rep. Greg Frazer, R-Deer Lodge, and Jeremy Mygland of East Helena.
Also of note this year, Gov. Greg Gianforte is weighing in on GOP legislative primaries, giving his endorsement to 58 candidates across the state – including 24 in contested races, and 3 challengers to incumbents. Gianforte backed Sales over Hinkle and Carlson, Kyle McMurray over Rep. Jane Gillette and Randyn Gregg over Rep. James Bergstrom.
Montana Legislative Primaries with Multiple Candidates:
Republicans:
- House District 2 (Southern Lincoln County and Marion): Thomas Jenkins, Tom Millett
- House District 7 (Kalispell): Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, Shaun Pandina
- House District 8 (Evergreen): Rep. Tony Brockman, Lukas Schubert
- House District 9 (Lakeside and Somers): Lee Huestis, Steven Kelly
- House District 11 (Eastern Flathead County): Ed Byrne, Rob Tracy
- House District 16 (Glacier County): Rolland Heagy, Elaine Utterback Mitchell
- House District 18 (Toole and Pondera Counties and part of Teton County): Rep. Llew Jones, James Coombs
- House District 19 (Great Falls): Derren Auger, Hannah Trebas
- House District 20 (Great Falls): Rep. Steven Galloway, Elizabeth Nikolakakos
- House District 21 (Black Eagle): Rep. Ed Buttrey, James Osterman
- House District 22 (Great Falls): Rep. George Nikolakakos, Jim Whitaker
- House District 23 (Great Falls): Pete Anderson, Josh Denully, John Proud, Eric Tilleman
- House District 26 (Chouteau County and parts of Cascade County): Rep. Russ Miner, Dana Darlington
- House District 28 (Hi-Line): Eric Albus, former Rep. Wayne Stahl, Mark Wicks
- House District 29 (Northeastern Montana): Miles Knudsen, Valerie Moore
- House District 33 (Dawson County and southern Richland County): Rep. Brandon Ler, Kathy Hoiland
- House District 38 (Musselshell, Golden Valley and northern Yellowstone Counties): Rep. Greg Oblander, Nancy Kemler
- House District 40 (Lockwood): Mike Vinton, Josh Visocan
- House District 47 (Billings): Thomas Mahon, Stephanie Moncada
- House District 53 (Yellowstone County): Rep. Nelly Nicol, David Austin
- House District 55 (Carbon County): Rep. Brad Barker, Lisa Bennett, Mary Horman
- House District 63 (Bozeman): Joe Flynn, Mark Lewis
- House District 68 (Gallatin County): Rep. Caleb Hinkle, Rep. Jennifer Carlson, former Sen. Scott Sales
- House District 70 (Beaverhead County): Mike Klakken, Shannon Maness, Mary Ann Nicholas
- House District 76 (Powell and Granite Counties): Rep. John Fitzpatrick, Dave Kesler
- House District 77 (Broadwater County, Three Forks and Manhattan): Rep. Jane Gillette, Kyle McMurray
- House District 78 (Central Montana): Rep. James Bergstrom, Randyn Gregg
- House District 79 (Lewis and Clark County): Demetri Joslin, Jill Sark
- House District 83 (Helena and East Helena): Wes Feist, Christopher St. Jean
- House District 84 (Helena Valley): Rep. Julie Dooling, Jon Jackson
- House District 85 (Southern Ravalli County): Rep. Michele Binkley, Kathy Love
- House District 86 (Hamilton): Rep. David Bedey, Robert Wallace
- House District 88 (Northern Ravalli County): Kim Dailey, Greg Overstreet
- House District 90 (Mineral County and parts of Missoula and Sanders Counties): Curtis Cochran, Steven Delisle, Jeff Stanek
- Senate District 5 (Southern Flathead County): Marquis Laude, Rep. Matt Regier
- Senate District 13 (Chouteau County and parts of Cascade County): Rep. Josh Kassmier, Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway
- Senate District 15 (Northeastern Montana): Gregg Hunter, Rep. Rhonda Knudsen
- Senate District 17 (Southeast Montana): Mike Newton, Rep. Bob Phalen
- Senate District 27 (Laurel): Sen. Chris Friedel, former Rep. Vince Ricci
- Senate District 35 (Madison and Beaverhead Counties): Mark McGinley, former Rep. Ray Shaw, Tony Tezak
- Senate District 38 (Powell, Granite and Jefferson Counties): Sen. Becky Beard, Rep. Greg Frazer, Jeremy Mygland
- Senate District 44 (Northern Ravalli County): Sen. Theresa Manzella, Brad Davis, Rep. Wayne Rusk
- Senate District 45 (Mineral County and parts of Missoula and Sanders Counties): Rep. Denley Loge, AnnaMarie White
- Senate District 47 (Missoula): Abigail Maki, Erica Siate
Democrats
- House District 3 (Whitefish and West Glacier): Former Rep. Debo Powers, Guthrie Quist
- House District 31 (Fort Peck and Fort Belknap): Rep. Frank Smith, Lance FourStar
- House District 58 (Livingston): Jamie Isaly, Dean Williamson
- House District 62 (Bozeman): Rio Roland, Josh Seckinger
- House District 63 (Bozeman): John Hansen, Peter Strand
- House District 65 (Bozeman): Brian Close, Anja Wookey-Huffman
- House District 79 (Lewis and Clark County): Emily Harris, Luke Muszkiewicz, Anne Woodland
- House District 82 (Helena): Pete Elverum, SK Rossi
- House District 84 (Helena Valley): Michele Crepeau, David Williams
- House District 97 (Missoula): Melody Cunningham, Lisa Verlanic Fowler
- House District 100 (Missoula): Rep. SJ Howell, Tim Garrison
- Senate District 16 (Fort Peck, Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy’s): Former Rep. Bridget Smith, Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy
- Senate District 21 (Crow and Northern Cheyenne): Former Rep. Rae Peppers, Rep. Sharon Stewart-Peregoy
- Senate District 36 (Butte and Anaconda): Former Rep. Sara Novak, former Sen. Jessica Wicks
- Senate District 46 (Parts of Missoula, Lake and Sanders Counties): Jacinda Morigeau, CB Pearson
Montana
Swiss Alpine bar fire claims 41st victim, an 18-year-old Swiss national
Flower tributes are placed at the entrance of the “Le Constellation” bar and lounge where a fire which broke out during New Year’s celebrations left 40 people dead and over 100 injured, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP)
Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP
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Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP
ZURICH — An 18-year-old Swiss national has died in a Zurich hospital from injuries sustained in a Swiss Alpine bar fire, bringing the death toll to 41 a month after the tragedy.

The victim died on Saturday, according to the Swiss public prosecutor. The prosecutor said in a statement Sunday it would provide no further information on the status of the investigation.
Investigators have said they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling at the packed Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, less than two hours after midnight on Jan. 1. Authorities are looking into whether soundproofing material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Fire safety inspections hadn’t been carried out since 2019.
Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the owners — French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti — on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing a fire by negligence. The court of compulsory measures in the southwestern Valais region on Jan. 12 ordered three months of pretrial detention for Jacques Moretti, but on Jan. 23 ordered his release on bail.
With high-altitude ski runs rising around 3,000 meters (nearly 9,850 feet) in the heart of the Valais region, Crans-Montana is a major destination for international alpine skiing competitions.
Montana
Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 31, 2026
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Jan. 31, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 31 drawing
02-08-14-40-63, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 31 drawing
09-13-25-30-43, Lucky Ball: 18
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 31 drawing
07-21-47-48-49, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 31 drawing
01-04-19-26, Bonus: 13
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 31 drawing
14-18-19-31-59, Powerball: 13
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from Jan. 31 drawing
01-04-15-17-18
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Montana
Blanc Wins Crans-Montana Super-G, Johnson Breaks Through
Malorie Blanc / GEPA pictures
Women’s Super-G, Crans-Montana: Blanc delivers a home win as Johnson puts the Stifel U.S. Ski Team on the podium
Crans-Montana delivered the kind of bluebird Super-G day racers dream about — grippy snow, great light, and a course the women could truly attack. And attack they did, with a stunning hometown breakthrough from Switzerland’s Malorie Blanc, and a massive moment for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team as Breezy Johnson charged onto her first World Cup Super-G podium.
Top 5
- 1st 🇨🇭 Malorie Blanc (SUI) — bib 17 — +0.00 — 2004 — Atomic
- 2nd 🇮🇹 Sofia Goggia (ITA) — bib 13 — +0.18 — 1992 — Atomic
- 3rd 🇺🇸 Breezy Johnson (USA) — bib 29 — +0.36 — 1995 — Atomic
- 4th 🇮🇹 Roberta Melesi (ITA) — bib 2 — +0.42 — 1996
- 5th 🇩🇪 Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (GER) — bib 18 — +0.44 — 1996
Top Five — Women’s Super-G Standings (entering the Olympics)
- 1st 🇮🇹 Sofia Goggia (ITA, 1992, Atomic) — 280 pts
- 2nd 🇳🇿 Alice Robinson (NZL, 2001) — −60
- 3rd 🇺🇸 Lindsey Vonn (USA, 1984, Head) — −90
- 4th 🇫🇷 Romane Miradoli (FRA, 1994) — −99
- 5th 🇨🇭 Malorie Blanc (SUI, 2004, Atomic) — −127
How the race unfolded
Austria’s Ariane Rädler opened the day by setting the first benchmark (1:17.95), but Italy quickly took control. Roberta Melesi (bib 2) tightened her line and lowered the mark to 1:17.76, immediately putting pressure on the early favorites.
The first major threats followed quickly. Kajsa Vickhoff Lie couldn’t unseat the then-leader and skied into the finish +0.46 at the time, while Alice Robinson — still searching for her best top-end speed — came close, just +0.09 back. As the race unfolded, Robinson would eventually slide to sixth (+0.51).
Then the race turned dramatic. Italy’s Elena Curtoni (bib 8) went down and did not finish, another major contender erased. Soon after, Germany’s Emma Aicher (bib 12), the Tarvisio Super-G winner, crashed in the same turn that ended Lindsey Vonn’s downhill day. Aicher was able to get up and ski to the finish.
Italy’s speed queen answered next. Sofia Goggia (bib 13) grabbed the advantage early, gave time back through the middle, then re-attacked with trademark aggression to take the lead by 0.24, lighting up the timing board with her on-the-limit style.
While Vonn appeared on the start list — a sign her team believed there was a chance — it remained a game-day decision. In the end, she did not start as she continues to recover from Friday’s downhill crash.
The emotional center of the race was also at the top. Federica Brignone racing a Super-G was a significant moment — her first speed discipline start since last spring’s injury. She skied solidly, finished safely (18th, +1.28), and took another encouraging step as she builds toward Cortina.
Blanc shocks the field in front of her home crowd
Then the stadium erupted.
Switzerland’s Malorie Blanc (bib 17) delivered the run of her life in her own backyard — fast, clean, and right on the edge of control — vaulting into the leader’s chair and eventually into her first World Cup victory. With Switzerland eager for a new speed headline after losing its top Super-G skier earlier this season, Blanc’s breakthrough could not have come at a better moment.
Blanc had never stood on a World Cup Super-G podium before — and now she was winning in front of a sold-out home crowd in Crans-Montana.
“It’s incredible, and I still have a little trouble realizing it,” Blanc said. “I’ll wait until the end just to be sure it’s real. It means so much to me — to show this to my fans and to people who love skiing. I really wanted to do something great here, and I’m very thankful I could do it.”
Blanc admitted the run itself didn’t feel perfect.
“The feeling wasn’t that good on the slope,” she said. “I thought I was making some mistakes, but I just kept going. Then I crossed the finish line and heard the crowd — it was sold out — and I thought, ‘OK, maybe it’s not that bad.’ I’m just so happy.”
With the Olympic Winter Games next on the calendar — and Crans-Montana the final race before Cortina — Blanc said she isn’t looking too far ahead yet.
“I’m just living the moment,” Blanc said. “It will be my first Olympics, so I want to enjoy it and see what happens.”
Goggia continues strong season
While Malorie Blanc thrilled the home crowd with her breakthrough victory, Sofia Goggia continued her strong Super-G campaign with a second-place finish, reinforcing her momentum heading into the Olympic Winter Games.
“I’m really happy with my performance today,” Goggia said. “My January wasn’t that good, especially in downhill, but I knew this hill suited me, so I just tried to ski my best.”
Goggia said there were still areas she felt she could improve, but she was satisfied with the way she attacked the course in the final race before the Games.
“I made a mistake in the middle and didn’t carry enough speed there,” she said. “But I’m really happy with the way I’ve been attacking the race.”
Breezy Johnson makes it a Stifel U.S. Ski Team celebration

Breezy Johnson delivered one of the biggest results of her career, charging to third place (+0.36) for her first-ever World Cup Super-G podium — a huge moment for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team in the final race before the Olympics.
“I’ve been working on Super-G for a really long time,” Johnson said. “I respect Super-G — I think it’s the hardest event. I always wanted to be good at it, but I didn’t expect that run to be what got me to the podium.”
Johnson said her focus was to keep attacking even when things got messy.
“I just tried to keep it running,” she said. “Every time I made a mistake, I forgot about it and kept going.”
The run felt fast but unpredictable.
“It’s almost like downhill,” Johnson said, “but there were places where it was a little all over the place. Down at the bottom I thought I was about to straddle that gate, so that was a little crazy.”
The timing of the result mattered as much as the result itself.
“I hadn’t even qualified to race the Super-G in Cortina before today,” Johnson said. “I really wanted to race that Super-G, so I just wanted to come out and give it my best.”
Bocock builds Olympic confidence with top-15 result
For Mary Bocock, Friday’s Super-G was a meaningful step forward at exactly the right time.
“It’s very exciting, especially after yesterday was a tough day for all the girls mentally and with the conditions,” Bocock said. “I was a little nervous today, but I’m very, very happy with how it went.”
Bocock said the technical nature of the Crans-Montana course played to her strengths.
“I love this track because it’s very technical,” she said. “I’m really happy I was able to execute my plan.”
The 15th-place finish marked one of the best results of Bocock’s young World Cup career and sends her to the Olympic Winter Games with confidence.
“This is amazing because now I’m going from my best result straight into the Olympics,” Bocock said. “It gives me confidence knowing I can ski well, and Cortina can also be a pretty technical track.”
Bocock said the feedback afterward reinforced that confidence.
“They just kept saying, ‘Good job, Mary,’” she said. “They told me I looked a little loose, which I was, but also that I looked confident — and that’s always good to hear.”
More fireworks: Pirovano disqualified after leading late
Italy’s day could have been even bigger. Lara Pirovano was leading with one split to go before missing a gate just before the finish and being disqualified. Even so, the message is clear: the Italians are skiing very fast as they head toward their home Olympics.
Bibs 31+ who finished inside the top 30
- 15th ⚡ 🇺🇸 Mary Bocock (USA) — bib 38 — +1.16 — 2003
- 17th 🇺🇸 Jacqueline Wiles (USA) — bib 47 — +1.27 — 1992
- 21st 🇦🇹 Julia Scheib (AUT) — bib 32 — +1.39 — 1998
- 27th 🇮🇹 Nicol Delago (ITA) — bib 42 — +1.81 — 1996 — Atomic
- 28th 🇨🇭 Priska Ming-Nufer (SUI) — bib 48 — +2.15 — 1992 (highest bib in top 30)
- 29th 🇨🇭 Janine Schmitt (SUI) — bib 34 — +2.16 — 2000
USA skiers in the top 30
- 3rd 🇺🇸 Breezy Johnson (USA) — bib 29 — +0.36 — 1995 — Atomic
- 15th 🇺🇸 Mary Bocock (USA) — bib 38 — +1.16 — 2003
- 17th 🇺🇸 Jacqueline Wiles (USA) — bib 47 — +1.27 — 1992
- 19th 🇺🇸 Tricia Mangan (USA) — bib 21 — +1.32 — 1997 — Head
- 25th 🇺🇸 Keely Cashman (USA) — bib 16 — +1.61 — 1999 — Head
Stifel U.S. Ski Team depth: five women in the points
Beyond Johnson’s podium, it was another statement day for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team: five women scored points, a strong performance from a very strong squad. Bocock’s surge was particularly encouraging — only her second points result after the season-opening St. Moritz Super-G (the race that secured her Olympic spot), and she attacked today with unmistakable Olympic energy.
Race Results
Click on images to enlarge
Analysis of the Top Three and Other North Americans in the Top 30





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