Names of legislative leaders are followed by their party affiliation and town or county of residence. Note that, before 1974, the lieutenant governor also served as Senate president.
D = Democrat
R = Republican
| Session | House Speaker | Speaker Pro Tem | Majority Leader | Minority Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Matt Regier, R-Kalispell | Rhonda Knudsen, R-Culbertson | Sue Vinton, R-Billings | Kim Abbott, D-Helena |
| 2021 | Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale | Casey Knudsen, R-Malta | Sue Vinton, R-Billings | Kim Abbott, D-Helena |
| 2019 | Greg Hertz, R-Polson | Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale | Brad Tschida, R-Missoula | Casey Schreiner, D-Great Falls |
| 2017 | Austin Knudsen, R-Culbertson | Greg Hertz, R-Polson | Ron Ehli, R-Hamilton | Jenny Eck, D-Helena |
| 2015 | Austin Knudsen, R-Culbertson | Lee Randall, R-Broadus | Keith Regier, R-Kalispell | Chuck Hunter, D-Helena |
| 2013 | Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell | Austin Knudsen, R-Culbertson | Gordon Vance, R-Belgrade | Chuck Hunter, D-Helena |
| 2011 | Mike Milburn, R-Cascade | Janna Taylor, R-Dayton | Tom McGillvray, R-Billings | Jon Sesso, D-Butte |
| 2009 | Bob Bergren, D-Havre | Franke Wilmer, D-Bozeman | Margarett Campbell, D-Poplar | Scott Sales, R-Bozeman |
| 2007 | Scott Sales, R-Bozeman | Debby Barrett, R-Dillon | Michael Lange, R-Billings | John Parker, D-Great Falls |
| 2005 | Gary Matthews, D-Miles City | None | House Leaders: Dave Wanzenried, D-Missoula, Roy Brown, R-Billings | Floor Leaders:Michael Lange, R-Billings, John Parker, D-Great Falls |
| 2003 | Doug Mood, R-Seeley Lake | Jeff Laszloffy, R-Laurel | Roy Brown, R-Billings | Dave Wanzenried, D-Missoula |
| 2001 | Dan McGee, R-Laurel | Doug Mood, R-Seeley Lake | Paul Sliter, R-Somers | Kim Gillan, D-Billings |
| 1999 | John Mercer, R-Polson | Doug Mood, R-Seeley Lake | Larry Grinde, R-Lewistown | Emily Swanson, D-Bozeman |
| 1997 | John Mercer, R-Polson | Marian Hanson, R-Ashland | Larry Grinde, R-Lewistown | Vicki Cocchiarella, D-Missoula |
| 1995 | John Mercer, R-Polson | Marian Hanson, R-Ashland | Larry Grinde, R-Lewistown | Ray Peck, D-Havre |
| 1993 | John Mercer, R-Polson | Marian Hanson, R-Ashland | Larry Grinde, R-Lewistown | Ted Schye, D-Glasgow |
| 1991 | Hal Harper, D-Helena | Dave Brown, D-Butte | Jerry Driscoll, D-Billings | John Mercer, R-Polson |
| 1989 | John Vincent, D-Bozeman | Kelly Addy, D-Billings | Hal Harper, D-Helena | Jack Ramirez, R-Billings |
| 1987 | Bob Marks, R-Clancy | Dennis Iverson, R-Whitlash | Thomas Hannah, R-Billings | John Vincent, D-Bozeman |
| 1985 | John Vincent, D-Bozeman | House Republican Leader:, Bob Marks, Clancy | Hal Harper, D-Helena | Jack Ramirez, R-Billings |
| 1983 | Dan Kemmis, D-Missoula | Joe Brand, D-Deer Lodge | John Vincent, D-Bozeman | Bob Marks, R-Clancy |
| 1981 | Bob Marks, R-Clancy | Art Lund, R-Scobey | Harrison Fagg, R-Billings | Dan Kemmis, D-Missoula |
| 1979 | Harold Gerke, D-Billings | Joe Brand, D-Deer Lodge | Ann Mary Dussault, D-Missoula | Jack Ramirez, R-Billings |
| 1977 | John Driscoll, D-Hamilton | Joe Brand, D-Deer Lodge | Peter "Mike" Meloy, D-Helena | Bob Marks, R-Clancy |
| 1975 | Pat McKittrick, D-Great Falls | Francis Bardanouve, D-Harlem | John Driscoll, D-Hamilton | Lloyd Lockrem, Jr., R-Billings |
| 1974 | Harold Gerke, D-Billings | None | Larry Fasbender, D-Fort Shaw | Oscar Kvaalen, R-Lambert |
| 1973 | Harold Gerke, D-Billings | Walter Laas, D-Chester | Larry Fasbender, D-Fort Shaw | Oscar Kvaalen, R-Lambert |
| 1971 | James Lucas, R-Miles City | John Pierce, R-Billings | James Harrison, Jr., R-Helena | Bill Christiansen, D-Hardin |
| 1969 | James Lucas, R-Miles City | Tom Haines, R-Missoula | William Mather, R-Billings | John Hall, D-Great Falls |
| 1967 | James Felt, R-Billings | John Leuthold, R-Molt | James Lucas, R-Miles City | Gordon Twedt, D-Rudyard |
| 1965 | Ray Wayrynen, D-Butte | Gordon Twedt, D-Rudyard | Charles Cerovski, D-Lewistown | James Lucas, R-Miles City |
| 1963 | Frank Hazelbaker, R-Dillon | Fred Broeder, Jr., R-Kalispell | Alex Blewett, Jr., R-Great Falls | |
| 1961 | Clyde Hawks, R-St. Xavier | Tom Haines, R-Missoula | Jerome Anderson, R-Billings | |
| 1959 | John MacDonald, D-Jordan | John Emmons, D-Anaconda | Charles Cerovski, D-Lewistown | Sumner Gerard, R-Ennis |
| 1957 | Eugene Mahoney, D-Thompson Falls | John MacDonald, D-Jordan | Fred Barrett, D-Chester | R.F. Juedeman, R-Shelby |
| 1955 | Leo Graybill, D-Great Falls | John Emmons, D-Anaconda | Eugene Mahoney, D-Thompson Falls | |
| 1953 | Dean Chaffin, R-Bozeman | R.H. Gebhardt, R-Billings | R.H. Wiedman, R-Polson | |
| 1951 | Ory Armstrong, R-Kalispell | Leonard Esp, R-Big Timber | Joseph McElwain, R-Deer Lodge | |
| 1949 | Leo Graybill, D-Great Falls | N.A. Peterson, D-Valier | Henry Loble, D-Helena | |
| 1947 | Charles Scofield, R-Biddle | Dean Chaffin, R-Bozeman | Ory Armstrong, R-Kalispell | |
| 1945 | George O'Connor, R-Fromberg | Frank Hazelbaker, R-Missoula | Ralph Bricker, R-Great Falls | David James, D-Joplin, |
| 1943 | George O'Connor, R-Fromberg | Neil Parker, R-Bigfork | R.C. Dillavou, R-Billings | Paul Cannon, D-Butte |
| 1941 | E.J. Stromnes, D-Great Falls | Paul Cannon, D-Butte | E.J. Byrne, D-Galata | E.G. Toomey, R-Helena |
| 1939 | D.M. Manning, D-Hysham | Jasper DeDobbeleer, D-Glasgow | Archie McLeod, D-Great Falls | Ben Miles, R-McLeod |
| 1937 | H.D. Rolph, D-Joplin | George Monahan, D-Livingston | Sam Spiegel, D-Butte | |
| 1935 | W.P. Pilgeram, D-Armington | H.D. Rolph, D-Joplin | E.J. Byrne, D-Galata | |
| 1933 | Dennis Dellwo, D-Charlo | Herbert Haight, D-Suffolk | Albert Besancon, D-Missoula | |
| 1931 | W.R. Flachsenhar, R-Terry | Steve Arnold, R-Broadview | W.B. Leavitt, R-Miles City | |
| 1929 | Ralph Bricker, R-Windham | Elmer Johnson, R-Glasgow | W.R. Flachsenhar, R-Terry | |
| 1927 | Glenn Davis, R-Carlyle | G.M. Moss, R-Whitefish | Ralph Bricker, R-Windham | |
| 1925 | Ralph Bricker, R-Windham | C.F. Holt, R-Great Falls | William Ruffcorn, R-Glasgow | |
| 1923 | Calvin Crumbaker, R-Fort Benton | A.O. Gullidge, R-Terry | Charles Swift, R-Hysham | |
| 1921 | Fred Gibson, R-Livingston | Percy Dodds, R-Whitefish | Edward Johnson, R-Anaconda | |
| 1919 | O.W. Belden, R-Lewistown | Ronald Higgins, R-Missoula | ||
| 1917 | Jas. F. O'Connor, D-Livingston | Thomas Kehoe, D-Billings | ||
| 1915 | George Ramsey, D-Helena | J.E. McNally, D-Butte | ||
| 1913 | Alexander MacDonald, D-Kalispell | Joseph Kirschwing, D-Great Falls | ||
| 1911 | W.W. McDowell, D-Butte | R. Lee Word, D-Helena | ||
| 1909 | W.W. McDowell, D-Butte | Edward Burke, D-Anaconda | ||
| 1907 | E.W. King, R-Bozeman | W.R. Allen, R-Anaconda | ||
| 1905 | Wyllis Hedges, R-Fergus Co | Marcus Hewett, R-Basin | ||
| 1903 | Benjamin White, R-Dillon | Aaron Conner, R-Darby | ||
| 1901 | Frank Corbett, D-Butte | John Baker, D-Helena | ||
| 1899 | Henry Stiff, D-Missoula | Edwin Lamb, D-Silver Bow Co | ||
| 1897 | Jacob Kennedy, D-Deer Lodge Co | |||
| 1895 | Wilbra Swett, R-Silver Bow Co | |||
| 1893 | Thomas Matthews, Populist-Silver Bow Co | A.F. Bray, Populist-Butte City | ||
| 1891 | Harry Comly, D-Lewis & Clark Co | R.G. Humber, D-Deer Lodge Co | ||
| 1889 | Charles Blakely****, D-Gallatin Co, Aaron Witter, R-Beaverhead Co |
* Before 1974, the lieutenant governor served as presiding officer of the Senate.
** In 1963, there was no president of the Senate because there was no lieutenant governor. Lt. Gov. Tim Babcock had become acting governor upon the death of Gov. Donald Nutter on Jan. 25, 1962.
*** Gov. John Erickson was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1933 upon the death of Thomas Walsh. Lt. Gov. Frank Cooney became acting governor. State Sen. Ernest Eaton was elected president pro tem but served as Senate president.
| Session | Senate President | President Pro Tem | Majority Leader | Minority Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton | Kenneth Bogner, R-Miles City | Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls | Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade |
| 2021 | Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell | Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton | Cary Smith, R-Billings | Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena |
| 2019 | Scott Sales, R-Bozeman | Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell | Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville | Jon Sesso, D-Butte |
| 2017 | Scott Sales, R-Bozeman | Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork | Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville | Jon Sesso, D-Butte |
| 2015 | Debby Barrett, R-Dillon | Frederick (Eric) Moore, R-Miles City | Matthew Rosendale, R-Glendive | Jon Sesso, D-Butte |
| 2013 | Jeff Essmann, R-Billings | Debby Barrett, R-Dillon | Art Wittich, R-Bozeman | Jon Sesso, D-Butte |
| 2011 | Jim Peterson, R-Buffalo | Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell | Jeff Essmann, R-Billings | Carol Williams, D-Missoula |
| 2009 | Robert Story, R-Park City | Dan McGee, R-Laurel | Jim Peterson, R-Buffalo | Carol Williams, D-Missoula |
| 2007 | Mike Cooney, D-Helena | Dan Harrington, D-Butte | Carol Williams, D-Missoula | Corey Stapleton, R-Billings |
| 2005 | Jon Tester, D-Big Sandy | Dan Harrington, D-Butte | Jon Ellingson, D-Missoula | Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork |
| 2003 | Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork | Walter McNutt, R-Sidney | Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville | Jon Tester, D-Big Sandy |
| 2001 | Tom Beck, R-Deer Lodge | Walter McNutt, R-Sidney | Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville | Steve Doherty, D-Great Falls |
| 1999 | Bruce Crippen, R-Billings | Tom Beck, R-Deer Lodge | John Harp, R-Kalispell | Steve Doherty, D-Great Falls |
| 1997 | Gary Aklestad, R-Galata | Bruce Crippen, R-Billings | John Harp, R-Kalispell | Mike Halligan, D-Missoula |
| 1995 | Bob Brown, R-Whitefish | Gary Aklestad, R-Galata | John Harp, R-Kalispell | Mike Halligan, D-Missoula |
| 1993 | Fred Van Valkenburg, D-Missoula | J.D. Lynch, D-Butte | Greg Jergeson, D-Chinook | Bruce Crippen, R-Billings |
| 1991 | Joe Mazurek, D-Helena | J.D. Lynch, D-Butte | Fred Van Valkenburg, D-Missoula | Bruce Crippen, R-Billings |
| 1989 | Jack Galt, R-Martinsdale | Matt Himsl, R-Kalispell | Delwyn Gage, R-Cut Bank | Bill Norman, D-Missoula |
| 1987 | Bill Norman, D-Missoula | George McCallum, R-Niarada | Fred Van Valkenburg, D-Missoula | Gary Aklestad, R-Galata |
| 1985 | Bill Norman, D-Missoula | Chet Blaylock, D-Laurel | Fred Van Valkenburg, D-Missoula | Stan Stephens, R-Havre |
| 1983 | Stan Stephens, R-Havre | Allen Kolstad, R-Chester | Frank Hazelbaker, R-Dillon | Chet Blaylock, D-Laurel |
| 1981 | Jean Turnage, R-Polson | Allen Kolstad, R-Chester | Stan Stephens, R-Havre | Chet Blaylock, D-Laurel |
| 1979 | William Mathers, R-Miles City | Allen Kolstad, R-Chester | Stan Stephens, R-Havre | Chet Blaylock, D-Laurel |
| 1977 | W. Gordon McOmber, D-Fairfield | Cornie Thiessen, D-Lambert | Terry Murphy, D-Cardwell | Jean Turnage, R-Polson |
| 1975 | W. Gordon McOmber, D-Fairfield | Carroll Graham, D-Lodge Grass | Neil Lynch, D-Butte | Frank Hazelbaker, R-Dillon |
| 1974 | W. Gordon McOmber, D-Fairfield | P.J. Keenan, D-Anaconda | Neil Lynch, D-Butte | Jim Moore, R-Two Dot |
| 1973 | Bill Christiansen*, D-Hardin | Cornie Thiessen, D-Lambert | Neil Lynch, D-Butte | Jim Moore, R-Two Dot |
| 1971 | Tom Judge, D-Helena | William Hafferman, D-Libby | Dick Dzivi, D-Great Falls | William Mathers, R-Miles City |
| 1969 | Tom Judge, D-Helena | Gordon McGowan, D-Highwood | Eugene Mahoney, D-Thompson Falls | James Haughey, R-Billings |
| 1967 | Ted James, R-Great Falls | Edward Dussault, D-Missoula | Eugene Mahoney, D-Thompson Falls | Jean Turnage, R-Polson |
| 1965 | Ted James, R-Great Falls | Eugene Mahoney, D-Thompson Falls | Edward Dussault, D-Missoula | Sumner Gerard, R-Ennis |
| 1963 | None** | David James, D-Joplin, | William Groff, D-Victor | J.S. Brenner, R-Grant |
| 1961 | Tim Babcock, R-Billings | Richard Nixon, D-Hogeland | Richard Nixon, D-Hogeland | |
| 1959 | Paul Cannon, D-Butte | David James, D-Joplin | David James, D-Joplin | Rex Hibbs, R-Billings |
| 1957 | Paul Cannon, D-Butte | David James, D-Joplin | David James, D-Joplin | Donovan Worden, R-Missoula |
| 1955 | George Gosman, R-Beaverhead Co | Glenn Larson, R-Thompson Falls | Glenn Larson, R-Thompson Falls | |
| 1953 | George Gosman, R-Beaverhead Co | Donovan Worden, R-Missoula | Donovan Worden, R-Missoula | |
| 1951 | Paul Cannon, D-Butte | Charles Mahoney, R-Jordan | Charles Mahoney, R-Jordan | |
| 1949 | Paul Cannon, D-Butte | G.M. Moss, R-Whitefish | G.M. Moss, R-Whitefish | |
| 1947 | Ernest Eaton, R-Polytechnic | Tom Burke, R-Billings | Tom Burke, R-Billings | |
| 1945 | Ernest Eaton, R-Polytechnic | H.A. Simmons, R-Red Lodge | H.A. Simmons, R-Red Lodge | |
| 1943 | Ernest Eaton, R-Polytechnic | W.E. Keeley, R-Deer Lodge | W.E. Keeley, R-Deer Lodge | |
| 1941 | Ernest Eaton, R-Polytechnic | W.E. Keeley, R-Deer Lodge | ||
| 1939 | Hugh Adair, D-Lewis & Clark Co | Leonard Plank, D-Chester | ||
| 1937 | Hugh Adair, D-Lewis & Clark Co | Leonard Plank, D-Chester | Harry Meyer, D-Butte | |
| 1935 | Ernest Eaton***, R-Polytechnic | W. Elmer Holt, D-Miles City, | ||
| 1933 | Frank Cooney, D-Missoula | Tom Kane, R-Corvallis | ||
| 1931 | Frank Hazelbaker, R-Dillon | Tom Kane, R-Corvallis | ||
| 1929 | Frank Hazelbaker, R-Dillon | Tom Kane, R-Corvallis | ||
| 1927 | W.S. McCormack, R-Flathead Co | James Griffin, R-Chinook | ||
| 1925 | W.S. McCormack, R-Flathead Co | Frank Hazelbaker, R-Dillon | ||
| 1923 | Nelson Story, Jr., R-Gallatin Co | W.E. Harmon, R-Bozeman | ||
| 1921 | Nelson Story, Jr., R-Gallatin Co | R.P. Heren, R-Miles City | ||
| 1919 | W.W. McDowell, D-Silver Bow Co | John Edwards, R-Forsyth | ||
| 1917 | W.W. McDowell, D-Silver Bow Co | John Edwards, R-Forsyth | ||
| 1915 | W.W. McDowell, D-Silver Bow Co | John Edwards, R-Forsyth | ||
| 1913 | W.W. McDowell, D-Silver Bow Co | Charles Muffly, D-Winston | ||
| 1911 | William Allen, R-Deer Lodge | Edward Donlan, R-Missoula | ||
| 1909 | William Allen, R-Deer Lodge | T.M. Everett, R-Harlem | ||
| 1907 | Edwin Norris, D-Beaverhead Co | Benjamin White, R-Dillon | ||
| 1905 | Edwin Norris, D-Beaverhead Co | Benjamin White, R-Dillon | ||
| 1903 | Frank Higgins, D-Missoula | Wesley Biggs, D-Helena | ||
| 1901 | Frank Higgins, D-Missoula | G.H. Stanton, D-Great Falls | ||
| 1899 | Archibald Spriggs, Populist-Meagher Co | Thomas Cullen, D-Glendive | ||
| 1897 | Archibald Spriggs, Populist-Meagher Co | |||
| 1895 | Alexander Botkin, R-Lewis & Clark Co | |||
| 1893 | Alexander Botkin, R-Lewis & Clark Co | Elmer Matts, D-Missoula | ||
| 1891 | John Rickards, R-Silver Bow Co | William Thornton, D-Anaconda | ||
| 1889 | John Rickards, R-Silver Bow Co |
* In 1889, voting irregularities led to a dispute over the outcome of legislative elections in Silver Bow County. The dispute was never resolved because the law didn’t clearly explain how to certify the election of legislators. So each party sent its own five legislators from Silver Bow County to Helena, and Montana actually had a Democrat House and a Republican House, which met separately.
Atlas of Montana Elections 1889-1976, compiled by Ellis Waldron and Paul B. Wilson, 1978.
House and Senate Floor Journals, 1889-2007.
Montana Directory of Public Affairs, compiled by Ralph E. Owings, 1956.
Vertical files, Montana Historical Society.
Montana Legislative Services Division
State Capitol
PO Box 201706
Helena MT 59620-1706
General:Â (406) 444-3064
Technical:Â (406) 444-0912
