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Montana, State House, District 5

Montana House of Representatives District 5
Current incumbentDave Fern Democratic Party
Population9,869
Voting age80.5% age 18 and over

Montana's fifth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Dave Fern.

As of the 2012 census, a total of 9,869 civilians reside within Montana's fifth state house district. Montana state representatives represent an average of 9,894 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 9,022 residents.

About the office

Members of the Montana House of Representatives are subject to term limits and may not serve more than four two-year terms. Montana legislators assume office the first Monday of January following the election.

Qualifications

To be eligible to serve in the Montana House of Representatives, a candidate must be:

  • A resident of the state for at least one year next preceding the general election
  • A resident of the county for six months preceding the general election if it contains one or more districts or of the district if it contains all or parts of more than one county.

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$92.46/day$114/day

Term limits

The Montana legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Montana Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Montana representatives are subject to term limits of no more than four two-year terms, or a total of eight years.

The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the house, the Board of County Commissioners that represent the vacant seat must select a replacement. The Secretary of State must notify the Board of Commissioners and the county central committee of the political party that holds the vacant seat no later than seven days after the vacancy happened. The county central committee has 45 days after receiving notice from the Secretary of State to provide a list of candidates to the Board of County Commissioners. The board must select a replacement no later than 15 days after receiving the list of candidates. If the Senate is in session, the selection must be made no later than five days after receiving a candidate list. Any person selected to fill a Senate seat serves until the next scheduled general election.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Montana House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline is March 9, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Montana House of Representatives District 5

Incumbent Dave Fern (D) defeated Cindy Dyson (L) in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 5 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Dave Fern (D)
69.1
3,882

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Cindy Dyson (L)
30.9
1,734

Total votes: 5,616
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 5

Incumbent Dave Fern advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 5 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Dave Fern (D)
100
1,478

Total votes: 1,478
Republican primary election

No Republican candidates ran in the primary.

2016

Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 14, 2016. Incumbent Keith Regier (R) did not seek re-election because of term-limits.

Dave Fern defeated Chet Billi in the Montana House of Representatives District 5 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 5 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Dave Fern 56.74% 3,257
Republican Chet Billi 43.26% 2,483
Total Votes 5,740
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Dave Fern ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 5 Democratic primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 5 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Dave Fern (unopposed)

Chet Billi ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 5 Republican primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 5 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Chet Billi (unopposed)


2012

Elections for the office of Montana House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 5, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 12, 2012. Incumbent Keith Regier (R) defeated James Mahnke (D) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the June 8 primary elections.

Montana House of Representatives, District 5, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngKeith Regier Incumbent 74.7% 4,387
Democratic James Mahnke 25.3% 1,484
Total Votes 5,871

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Montana House of Representatives District 5 raised a total of $90,574. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $4,313 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Montana House of Representatives District 5

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $25,213 2 $12,607
2014 $22,112 3 $7,371
2012 $4,960 2 $2,480
2010 $6,330 2 $3,165
2008 $5,431 3 $1,810
2006 $3,220 2 $1,610
2004 $10,704 3 $3,568
2002 $5,391 2 $2,696
2000 $7,213 2 $3,607
Total $90,574 21 $4,313