Republican Katie Zolnikov Becomes First Woman Elected Montana House Speaker
Incoming lawmakers will choose caucus leaders by anonymous vote, with party priorities and legislative strategy at stake.
- On Wednesday, Montana House Republicans elected Billings Republican Rep. Katie Zolnikov as the first female Speaker of the House in state history, defeating current Speaker Brandon Ler in an anonymous vote.
- Montana lawmakers gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday for internal caucus elections to determine leadership for the 2027 Legislature, a process typically considered formality before full chamber votes.
- Republicans also elected Rep. Tom Millett of Marion as House majority leader, while Senate Republicans renominated Senate President Matt Regier of Kalispell for another term without opposition.
- Democrats selected Rep. SJ Howell of Missoula as House minority leader and Sen. Laura Smith of Helena as Senate minority leader in uncontested races.
- Both Zolnikov and Howell identified affordability as a primary focus for the 2027 Legislature convening January 4, 2027, where Republicans hold a 56-44 House majority and a 30-20 Senate majority.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Republican Katie Zolnikov becomes first woman elected Montana House speaker
In an historic vote, Republicans chose Rep. Katie Zolnikov, R-Billings, as Speaker of the House in the Montana Legislature on Wednesday. Zolnikov is the first woman elected to the role in Montana, and the 2025 speaker pro tempore pledged to…
Republicans Elect Rep. Katie Zolnikov Montana’s First Female Speaker of the House
Montana is set to make history after House Republicans elected the first female speaker in state history at the Capitol Wednesday morning. Billings Republican Rep. Katie Zolnikov beat current Speaker of the House Rep. Brandon Ler, R-Savage, in a secret ballot voted by nearly all of the caucus’ 56 Republican representatives. Speaker is the highest-ranking […]
Montana Standard
This week: Montana lawmakers to elect leadership, set the tone for 2027 Legislature
On Wednesday, parties in each chamber will choose their leaders for the next legislative session. Leadership elections offer a glimpse into party strategy and priorities ahead of the 2027 Legislature.
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