Beaverhead County Voters Cast More Than 2,300 Ballots in 2026 Primary Election
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
DILLON — Beaverhead County voters headed to the polls Tuesday for Montana's 2026 Primary Election, casting 2,332 accepted ballots to help determine party nominees for federal, state, and county offices.
According to unofficial election results released by Beaverhead County, 3,995 ballots were issued and 2,332 were accepted, resulting in a turnout of approximately 58 percent.
One of the most closely watched local races was the Republican primary for Beaverhead County Commissioner District #1. Mark Boka secured a decisive victory with 1,321 votes, defeating Austin Hoerning, who received 565 votes, and Crystal McKinney, who received 396 votes.
In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Kurt Alme carried Beaverhead County with 1,549 votes. Lee Calhoun received 314 votes, while Charles Walking Child finished with 293 votes.
The Republican race for Montana's First Congressional District saw Aaron Flint lead the field locally with 962 votes. Christi Jacobsen received 708 votes, Al "Doc" Olszewski received 413 votes, and Ray Curtis received 139 votes.
Republican voters also selected Shannon Maness in the race for State Representative District 70, where Maness received 1,896 votes.
Several county offices appeared on the Republican ballot without opposition. Stacey Reynolds received 2,045 votes for County Clerk and Recorder, David W. Wendt received 1,968 votes for Sheriff/Coroner, Sky Steven Jones received 1,948 votes for County Attorney, Dana Basile received 1,873 votes for County Superintendent of Schools, Mike English received 1,927 votes for Public Administrator, and Cathy Hucke received 2,054 votes for County Treasurer/Assessor.
On the Democratic side, Reilly Neill led the U.S. Senate race in Beaverhead County with 231 votes, narrowly edging Alani Bankhead, who received 204 votes. Ryan Busse topped the Democratic field for Montana's First Congressional District with 199 votes, followed closely by Sam Forstag with 194 votes.
Democrat Kobi Craddock received 493 votes in the race for State Representative District 70.
In nonpartisan judicial races, Dan Wilson received 1,458 votes to Amy Eddy's 1,074 votes for Montana Supreme Court Justice No. 4. Randi Braddock received 2,406 votes in the race for Justice of the Peace.
The results remain unofficial pending final canvassing and certification by election officials.
