The 2018 General Election saw record turnout all across the nation, the state of Montana and Chouteau County as voters swarmed to the polls to vote in the mid-term election.
Overall it was tied with 1994 as the most voted mid-term election of all time with 69.93% of Montana voters casting ballots and only trailed the 2016 Presidential Election (74.44%) overall.
Senator Jon Tester won re-election, winning 50% of the State vote. In Chouteau County Tester received 1,269 votes to Republican challenger, Matt Rosendale’s 1,303. In Big Sandy Tester received 242 votes to Rosendale’s 331.
In the race for United States Representative Incumbent Representative, Republican Greg Gianforte won re-election with 51% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Kathleen Williams.
In Chouteau County Gianforte received 1,506 votes to Williams 1,065. Big Sandy cast 386 votes for Gianforte and 187 for Williams.
In the Public Service Commission District 1 race it was Republican Randy Pinocci defeating Democrat Doug Kaercher with 60% of the vote.
Republican Bowen Greenwood defeated Democrat Rex Renk in the race for Clerk of the Supreme Court 52% - 42%.
In State Senate District 14 Republican Russ Temple handily won Chouteau County with 1,432 votes to Democrat Paul Tuss’s 956. However the race is very close throughout the District and may end up in a recount. Currently Temple holds a narrow 139 vote lead.
State Representative District 27 saw Chouteau County voters support Republican Joshua J. Kassmier with 1,701 votes to Democrat Dan Nelson’s 688. Kassmier won the race with 71% of votes cast.
In State Representative District 32, incumbent Democrat Jonathan Windy Boy won re-election defeating Republican challenger Gilbert Bruce Meyers 2,234 to 1,351.
Republican Robert Pasha was retained to County Commission District 3, receiving 2,154 votes. Republican Lana Claassen was retained as Chouteau County Clerk and Recorded, receiving 2,306 votes.
Republican Vern Burdick will serve another term as Chouteau County Sheriff after receiving 2,014 votes. Republican Stephan Gannon won re-election as Chouteau County Attorney with 2,101 votes and Chouteau County Treasurer/Assessor Republican Toni Frieling Eckhoff was retained with 2,127 votes.
Supreme Court Justice #4 Beth Baker and Supreme Court Justice #2 Ingrid Gustafson were both retained as was District Court Judge Daniel Boucher and Justice of the Peace Susan Spencer.
Legislative Referendum 128 passed with 299,611 (63%) cast for and 178,005 (37%) cast against. In Chouteau County the measure passed 1,728 - 861. Legislative Referendum 129 also passed with 293,844 Yes votes (63%) to 174,597 No votes (37%). Chouteau County voters cast 1,629 Yes votes and 861 No votes.
Initiative No. 185 failed after 258,974 (53%) No votes were cast. Chouteau County voters were also opposed to the measure with 1,515 No votes cast to 1,104 Yes Votes.
Initiative No. 186 also failed state wide, with 271,542 (56%) No votes cast, compared to 213,857 Yes votes. Chouteau County voters followed suit casting 1,770 yes votes to 871 No votes.
