HELENA — A week after Montana’s elections, newly chosen state lawmakers gathered at the State Capitol Wednesday morning to choose their leaders for the 2027 legislative session.
Legislators met in party caucuses: House Republicans, Senate Republicans, House Democrats and Senate Democrats. Most of the top leadership positions were filled without contested elections – but that doesn’t mean all the questions are answered going into the next session.
(Watch the video to hear from the new legislative leaders.)
The one contested race came in the House Republican caucus. Members chose Rep. Katie Zolnikov, R-Billings, as speaker, over Rep. Brandon Ler, R-Savage, who was speaker last session.
Zolnikov will be Montana’s first ever female House speaker. She told members she wanted to manage the chamber in an open manner and avoid “backroom” dealings.
“I’ve always believed that sunlight is the best transparency,” she said during a news conference Wednesday. “What I want to prioritize as speaker is going through the legislative process properly and not making any deals, whether that's with members of our own party or with the minority party.”
Zolnikov described her top policy priorities as “lowering taxes, limiting government and strengthening Montana families.”
Rep. Tom Millett, R-Marion, was chosen as House majority leader, over previous majority leader Rep. Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls. Rep. Mike Vinton, R-Billings, was chosen as speaker pro tem, over Rep. Jodee Etchart, R-Billings.
Sen. Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, served as Senate president in the 2025 session, and he was the only nominee for the job in the Senate Republican caucus this year.
The last session was characterized by deep divisions among Senate Republicans, with a group of nine frequently joining Democrats on key votes. Regier told members he didn’t want to dwell on that, but he doesn’t want to see it repeated.
“All legislators want to get back to a focus of policy and not personalities,” he told reporters Wednesday. “Now, whether or not those cross again and something like that happens, that's up to them. I am personally firmly focused on policy.”
Regier said during the caucus that he wants a “productive and conservative session” and that he would be willing to work with anyone on a “small, efficient budget” and legislation to “protect or enhance Montana's individual freedoms.”
Two married couples will be in leadership this year. Katie Zolnikov’s husband, Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, was the only nominee for Senate president pro tem; Mike Vinton’s wife, Sen. Sue Vinton, R-Billings, was unopposed for Senate majority leader.
House and Senate Democrats also had uncontested leadership elections. Rep. SJ Howell, D-Missoula, will be House minority leader, and Sen. Laura Smith, D-Helena, will be Senate minority leader. In a joint appearance after the caucuses, both identified the same top priority.
“We're going to address affordability first, and affordability second, and likely third, and maybe fourth,” Howell said.
“Our top three issues – on behalf of all Montanans, not just Democrats and not just Republicans – is affordability, affordability, affordability,” said Smith.
Democrats picked up two more seats in the House this year and two more seats in the Senate, and their leaders believe that means they’re well positioned to have their voices heard.
“People have had it with political bickering,” Smith said. “It is time to solve problems in our state.”
“What I know about our caucus is that we are unified and we are focused on the same goal,” said Howell.
Wednesday’s caucuses were part of a larger orientation program at the Capitol for lawmakers, which will continue through Friday. The 2027 legislative session is set to open on Jan. 4.
