Republicans Win in Public Service Commission Races
Hamm led Bukacek in early returns as most Montana Public Service Commission districts were still counting votes.
- Republican Montana Public Service Commissioner Annie Bukacek won re-election against Democrat Kevin Hamm with 53% of the vote, while Republican Jeff Pattison defeated Democrat Angeline Cheek with 65%, ensuring the Montana Public Service Commission remains entirely Republican.
- Technical difficulties delayed the race results; The Associated Press called the races on Thursday, approximately two days after polls closed on November 3, as vote counting lingered below 60% throughout Wednesday.
- Final tallies showed Bukacek earning 53% and Pattison 65% in their respective districts. Both will join the commission to regulate monopoly utilities, including NorthWestern Energy, which serves Montana ratepayers.
- Slated for a vote next week is a controversial $15.4 billion merger between NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corp, marking an immediate priority for the newly confirmed commissioners.
- Beyond the merger, the PSC faces a lawsuit filed by 17 groups demanding it "recognize its constitutional duty to consider climate change" in regulating utilities, signaling broader regulatory pressures ahead.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Republicans win in Public Service Commission races
Republican Montana Public Service Commissioner Annie Bukacek won re-election against Democrat Kevin Hamm and will serve four more years on the regulatory body. “I have been known by many for decades as one who can be trusted to stand up…
One Republican, one Democrat ahead in Public Service Commissioner races
Democrat Kevin Hamm was ahead of Republican incumbent Annie Bukacek around 11 p.m. Tuesday in the race to serve on Montana’s Public Service Commission. Most districts had not yet fully reported. Hamm had 51% of the vote in district No. 5, which covers a chunk of northwest Montana. Bukacek had 49%. In district No. 1, […]
Helena Independent Record
Update: Republican clearly leading in one Montana PSC race, while another remains close
Both Republicans are leading in the race to serve on Montana’s five-person Public Service Commission, the body that will decide how ratepayers might cover the costs of data centers.
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