1978 Montana Senate election

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1978 Montana Senate election
← 1976
November 7, 1978 (1978-11-07)
1980 →
27[a] of the 50 seats in the Montana Senate
26 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Rep
Dem
Leader Jean A. Turnage W. Gordon McOmber
(retired)
Party Republican Democratic
Leader's seat 13th-Polson 6th-Fairfield
Last election 25 25
Seats after 26 24
Seat change Increase1 Decrease1
Senate President before election

W. Gordon McOmber[2][3]
Democratic

 Elected Senate President

William L. Mathers[4]
Republican

The 1978 Montana Senate election took place on November 7, 1978, with the primary election held on June 6, 1978. Montana voters elected 27[a] of the 50 members of the Montana Senate.[5] The election coincided with United States national elections and Montana state elections, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and Montana House.[6][1]

Following the previous election in 1976, the chamber was tied with both Democrats and Republicans holding 25 seats.[7][8][9] Republicans flipped control of the chamber in 1978 by winning 26 seats while Democrats held 24—giving Republicans a net gain of one seat.[7][6][1] The newly elected members served in the 46th Montana State Legislature, during which Republican William L. Mathers was elected President of the Montana Senate.[4]

Democrats

  1. District 6: W. Gordon McOmber
  2. District 11: Joe R. Roberts
  3. District 19: John W. “Jack” Devine
  4. District 43:[a] Robert E. "Bob" Lee[b]
  5. District 46: Miles Romney

Incumbent defeated in primary election

Democrat

  1. District 48: Elmer Flynn

Incumbents defeated in general election

Democrats

  1. District 18: Margaret S. Warden
  2. District 40: Terry Murphy

Republicans

  1. District 15: Frank Dunkle
  2. District 36: L. M. “Larry” Aber
  3. District 50:[a] William E. "Bill" Murray[c]

Summary of results

Italics denote an open seat held by the incumbent party; bold text denotes a gain for a party.[5][6][1]

State senate district Incumbent Party Elected senator Outcome
4 Stan Stephens Rep Stan Stephens Rep hold
5 Allen C. Kolstad Rep Allen C. Kolstad Rep hold
6 W. Gordon McOmber Dem Gary Aklestad Rep gain
7 Harold C. Nelson Rep Harold C. Nelson Rep hold
9 Matt Himsl Rep Matt Himsl Rep hold
11 Joe R. Roberts Dem William F. Hafferman Dem hold
14 John E. Manley Dem John E. Manley Dem hold
15 Frank Dunkle Rep Steve Brown Dem gain
18 Margaret S. Warden Dem Jesse A. O'Hara Rep gain
19 John W. “Jack” Devine Dem Patrick L. Ryan Dem hold
22 Pat M. Goodover Rep Pat M. Goodover Rep hold
23 Jack E. Galt Rep Jack E. Galt Rep hold
25 Dave Manning Dem Dave Manning Dem hold
28 S. A. Olson Rep S. A. Olson Rep hold
31 Pat Regan Dem Pat Regan Dem hold
34 Thomas E. Towe Dem Thomas E. Towe Dem hold
35 Chet Blaylock Dem Chet Blaylock Dem hold
36 L. M. “Larry” Aber Rep Max Conover Dem gain
37 Pete Story Rep Pete Story Rep hold
38 Paul F. Boylan Dem Paul F. Boylan Dem hold
40 Terry Murphy Dem Mike Anderson Rep gain
43[a] Robert E. "Bob" Lee[b] Dem Lawrence C. Stimatz Dem hold
44 John E. "Jack" Healy Dem John E. "Jack" Healy Dem hold
46 Miles Romney Dem Elmer D. Severson Rep gain
47 Bill Norman Dem Bill Norman Dem hold
48 Elmer Flynn Dem Bob Palmer Dem hold
50[a] William E. "Bill" Murray[c] Rep Fred Van Valkenburg Dem gain

Detailed results by district

See also

References

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