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Montana, State House, District 53

Montana House of Representatives District 53
Current incumbentDennis Lenz Republican Party
Population9,898
Voting age70.7% age 18 and over

Montana's fifty-third state house district is represented by Republican Representative Dennis Lenz.

As of the 2012 census, a total of 9,898 civilians reside within Montana's fifty-third 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 53

Incumbent Dennis Lenz (R) defeated Clementine Lindley (D) in the general election for Montana House of Representatives District 53 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Dennis Lenz (R)
72.1
5,240

Clementine Lindley (D)
27.9
2,032

Total votes: 7,272
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 53

Megan Petersen advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana House of Representatives District 53 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Megan Petersen (D)
100
1,006

Total votes: 1,006
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 53

Incumbent Dennis Lenz advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 53 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Dennis Lenz (R)
100
2,695

Total votes: 2,695

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 Sarah Laszloffy (R) did not seek re-election.

Dennis Lenz defeated Jordan Matney in the Montana House of Representatives District 53 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 53 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Dennis Lenz 77.17% 5,216
Democratic Jordan Matney 22.83% 1,543
Total Votes 6,759
Source: Montana Secretary of State

Jordan Matney ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 53 Democratic primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 53 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Jordan Matney (unopposed)

Dennis Lenz ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 53 Republican primary.

Montana House of Representatives, District 53 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Dennis Lenz (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. Joseph Sands (R) defeated Joseph Sands (D) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the June 8 primary elections.

Montana House of Representatives, District 53, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDave Hagstrom 53% 1,825
Democratic Joseph Sands 47% 1,621
Total Votes 3,446

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Montana House of Representatives District 53 raised a total of $235,472. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $11,213 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Montana House of Representatives District 53

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $7,928 2 $3,964
2014 $28,531 3 $9,510
2012 $41,183 2 $20,592
2010 $11,307 2 $5,654
2008 $7,363 1 $7,363
2006 $14,821 2 $7,411
2004 $35,111 2 $17,556
2002 $47,568 2 $23,784
2000 $41,660 5 $8,332
Total $235,472 21 $11,213