In Montana House District 29, ….

In Montana House District 29, Republican incumbent Valerie Moore won with 62 percent of the vote compared to challenger Linda Harmon’s 38 percent during the primary election on Tuesday, June 2.

Moore in a prior interview told this newspaper, “The reason I ran was to truly represent northeastern Montana. To bring a voice for all of you……not a faction, not party bosses and certainly not out of state interests. To bring Your voice to Helena. To let them know who we are and what our issues and concerns might be. As might be expected, it was a huge learning curve and I’m here to tell you, you don’t know what you don’t know and there is no way to understand this world if you haven’t lived it. Once you begin to learn the process and build networks with not only fellow legislators, but the governor’s office, state agencies and your constituents, you feel like you can finally do your job.

In the Democratic primary for District 29, Tessa Fahlgren received 197 votes compared to Rachel Sundheim’s 174 votes. Fahlgren has told this newspaper, “The fight for Medicaid expansion illuminates the larger issue of growing right-wing extremism. The Montana Republican party is embracing an agenda that would weaken rural hospitals, using misinformation and scapegoats to convince Montanans to vote against their own interests. Now more than ever we need integrity, honesty and bipartisan cooperation.”

Natalie Weeks-O’Neal emerged as the winner in the Democratic primary for House District 31. The election was to determine the replacement for outgoing Rep. Frank Smith.

Weeks-O’Neal received 60 percent of the votes compared to Lance FourStar’s 40 percent. There isn’t a Republican seeking the position.

Weeks-O’Neal’s margin of victory included receiving 64 percent of the 504 votes cast in Roosevelt County.

She told this paper during the campaign that she sees the biggest issues being health care, education and keeping our agriculture strong. “These issues affect both Native and non-Native families across our district. Our local farmers and ranchers face rising costs, sustainability issues and market instability. Our leaders need to support policies that protect family operations, improve access to markets and provide financial tools to sustain multi-generational agriculture.”

Primary winners in House District 30 were Republican incumbent Morgan Thiel and Democrat Jason Boeshore.

In the statewide race for U.S. senator, Kurt Alme won on the Republican side with 76 percent of the vote. Alani Bankhead was the top Democrat with 44 percent while Reilly Neill had 33 percent. Libertarian Kyle Austin received 53 percent of the vote in his party’s primary.

For the race for U.S. House representative in the second congressional district, Brian Miller won in the Democratic primary with 56 percent while Sam Lux had 27 percent. Miller will face incumbent Troy Downing in the general election.

In Roosevelt County, 22.37 percent of the eligible registration voters took part in the primary election.

For federal races, the top vote getters in Roosevelt County were Democrat Michael Black Wolf for U.S. Senate, Alme for the Republican Senate race and Miller over Johnathon Windy Boy (230224) in the U.S. House primary for Democrats.