The 1978 Montana House of Representatives election took place on November 7, 1978, with the primary election held on June 6, 1978. Montana voters elected all 100 members of the Montana House of Representatives to serve two-year terms. The election coincided with United States national elections and Montana state elections, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and Montana Senate.
Following the previous election in 1976, Democrats held a 57-to-43-seat majority over Republicans. Democrats maintained their majority in the legislature with 55 seats, while Republicans were elected in 45 seats—giving Republicans a net gain of two seats. The newly elected members served in the 46th Montana State Legislature, during which Democrat Harold E. Gerke was elected Speaker of the Montana House.
Retiring incumbents Democrats District 8: Edna A. Gunderson District 35: Jack Gunderson District 37: Patrick L. Ryan District 61: Gary L. Colburn District 77: Dorothy M. Bradley District 87: John "J.D." Lynch District 91: John Brian Driscoll District 94: Gary Niles Kimble District 96: Bob Palmer
Republicans District 9: David Aageson District 48: Fred O. Barrett District 79: Dale H. Davis District 92: Elmer D. Severson
Incumbents defeated in primary election Democrats District 24: Harry Hansen District 85: James T. Mular District 86: Jim Courtney
Incumbents defeated in general election Democrats District 14: Leo Kennerly Jr. District 15: Russell Baeth District 16: Ora J. Halvorson District 29: Peter M. "Mike" Meloy District 32: JoEllen Estenson District 40: John F. Kenny
Republicans District 18: Lee Tower District 19: Clyde A. Turner District 43: Warren O'Keefe District 72: Jean McLane District 74: Edith E. Cox
Summary of results Italics denote an open seat held by the incumbent party; bold text denotes a gain for a party.
State house district Incumbent Party Elected representative Outcome 1 Rep Rep hold 2 Rep Rep hold 3 Rep Rep hold 4 Rep Rep hold 5 Rep Rep hold 6 Dem Dem hold 7 Rep Rep hold 8 Dem Dem hold 9 Rep Rep hold 10 Rep Rep hold 11 Dem Dem hold 12 Rep Rep hold 13 Dem Dem hold 14 Dem Rep gain 15 Dem Rep gain 16 Dem Rep gain 17 Dem Dem hold 18 Rep Dem gain 19 Rep Dem gain 20 Rep Rep hold 21 Dem Dem hold 22 Dem Dem hold 23 Rep Rep hold 24 Dem Dem hold 25 Rep Rep hold 26 Rep Rep hold 27 Rep Rep hold 28 Dem Dem hold 29 Dem Rep gain 30 Dem Dem hold 31 Dem Dem hold 32 Dem Rep gain 33 Dem Dem hold 34 Dem Dem hold 35 Dem Dem hold 36 Dem Dem hold 37 Dem Dem hold 38 Dem Dem hold 39 Dem Dem hold 40 Dem Rep gain 41 Rep Rep hold 42 Rep Rep hold 43 Rep Dem gain 44 Rep Rep hold 45 Rep Rep hold 46 Dem Dem hold 47 Rep Rep hold 48 Rep Rep hold 49 Dem Dem hold 50 Dem Dem hold 51 Dem Dem hold 52 Dem Dem hold 53 Rep Rep hold 54 Dem Dem hold 55 Rep Rep hold 56 Rep Rep hold 57 Rep Rep hold 58 Dem Dem hold 59 Dem Dem hold 60 Dem Dem hold 61 Dem Dem hold 62 Dem Dem hold 63 Rep Rep hold 64 Rep Rep hold 65 Rep Rep hold 66 Dem Dem hold 67 Dem Dem hold 68 Dem Dem hold 69 Dem Dem hold 70 Dem Dem hold 71 Rep Rep hold 72 Rep Dem gain 73 Rep Rep hold 74 Rep Dem gain 75 Rep Rep hold 76 Dem Dem hold 77 Dem Rep gain 78 Dem Dem hold 79 Rep Rep hold 80 Rep Rep hold 81 Rep Rep hold 82 Dem Dem hold 83 Dem Dem hold 84 Dem Dem hold 85 Dem Dem hold 86 Dem Dem hold 87 Dem Dem hold 88 Dem Dem hold 89 Dem Dem hold 90 Dem Dem hold 91 Dem Dem hold 92 Rep Rep hold 93 Rep Rep hold 94 Dem Dem hold 95 Dem Dem hold 96 Dem Dem hold 97 Dem Dem hold 98 Rep Rep hold 99 Rep Rep hold 100 Rep Rep hold
Detailed results by district District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22 • District 23 • District 24 • District 25 • District 26 • District 27 • District 28 • District 29 • District 30 • District 31 • District 32 • District 33 • District 34 • District 35 • District 36 • District 37 • District 38 • District 39 • District 40 • District 41 • District 42 • District 43 • District 44 • District 45 • District 46 • District 47 • District 48 • District 49 • District 50 • District 51 • District 52 • District 53 • District 54 • District 55 • District 56 • District 57 • District 58 • District 59 • District 60 • District 61 • District 62 • District 63 • District 64 • District 65 • District 66 • District 67 • District 68 • District 69 • District 70 • District 71 • District 72 • District 73 • District 74 • District 75 • District 76 • District 77 • District 78 • District 79 • District 80 • District 81 • District 82 • District 83 • District 84 • District 85 • District 86 • District 87 • District 88 • District 89 • District 90 • District 91 • District 92 • District 93 • District 94 • District 95 • District 96 • District 97 • District 98 • District 99 • District 100__NOTOC__
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
District 53
District 54
District 55
District 56
District 57
District 58
District 59
District 60
District 61
District 62
District 63
District 64
District 65
District 66
District 67
District 68
District 69
District 70
District 71
District 72
District 73
District 74
District 75
District 76
District 77
District 78
District 79
District 80
District 81
District 82
District 83
District 84
District 85
District 86
District 87
District 88
District 89
District 90
District 91
District 92
District 93
District 94
District 95
District 96
District 97
District 98
District 99
District 100
See also 1978 United States elections 1978 United States Senate election in Montana 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana 1978 Montana Senate election
References