Incumbents retain seats, Senate race too close to call

Results are mainly in for local legislative races although in one, it is still too close to call.

With 25 of 26 precincts reported at 10 this morning, incumbent Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, held a 79-vote lead over his challenger, Havre Democrat Paul Tuss.

The difference was less than the number of provisional ballots that will be counted in Hill County alone. The estimated number of  provisional ballots in Hill County is 100.

Provisional ballots will be counted Tuesday.

Tempel said he has been following a few of the other races for this election, such as the U.S. Senate and House. He added that both races will be very close.

"I think it's been a good race, it's been real educational," Tempel said. "I've met a lot of nice people and I appreciate all the support I've got."

Tuss said the last nine months have been really rewarding for him.

"In fact I just got off doing my last door-to-door visit about three hours ago," he said. "We've probably hit 10,000 doors in this district and we've talked to thousands and thousands of people about what their priorities are for Montana and their families. It's been very rewarding. Win, lose or draw, I'm incredibly blessed to have been part of this process."

At that time, Tuss said it was still too early to say how the results would turn out and that only a couple of districts had reported in so far.

"It's gonna be a late night. I had originally anticipated that we'd have, kind of, the results by maybe 10 or 10:30, but I don't think so. I think it's going to be into the wee hours of the morning before we're probably out of here," he added.

But incumbent Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, handily won his re-election bid. Bachmeier garnered 2,238 votes to Libertarian Conor Burns' 395 and the 1,168 votes for former legislator Bob Sivertsen, who was running as an independent.

Before the final results were in, Bachmeier said that if he were re-elected it would mean a lot and would be an honor to represent the people of Havre.

"For me this job is about listening to what's on the hearts of people and going to the Legislature and representing them, but also coming back to them and saying, 'This is what you told me what was on your mind and this is what I did to work for you.' It's a really amazing opportunity to make direct impacts in people's lives," he added.

Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, also staved off a challenge. G. Bruce Meyers, who took the place of Windy Boy in House District 32 when Windy Boy successfully ran for the Senate, earned 1,351 votes while Windy Boy retained the seat with 2,234 votes.

In House District 27, which comprises Senate District 14 along with HD 32, Republican Joshua Kassmier easily defeated Democrat Dan Nelson, 3,287 to 1,371 with 16 of 17 precincts fully counted.

Rep. Jim O'Hara, R-Fort Benton, did not run for re-election, instead trying to regain his former seat on the Chouteau County Commission. He lost to incumbent Republican Commissioner Robert Pasha in the primary.

Rep. Casey Knudsen, R-Malta, received 3,800 votes in his unopposed bid to retain the seat in House District 33.