Governor elections in Montana

35 elections · 1789–present · popular vote

● In officeGreg Gianforte Republican

Elections won

R 14 · D 2135 gubernatorial elections since 1889

Last decided by

20.2 pts2024, Greg Gianforte over Ryan Busse

Closest ever

1.21 pts1892, John E. Rickards over Timothy E. Collins

Longest streak

6 in a rowDemocratic, 1896–1916

Next election

2028Tuesday, November 7, 2028

Montana's governor is Republican Greg Gianforte; Gianforte won the most recent race by 20.2 points in 2024. Gianforte has held the office since 2020. The 2024 race put Gianforte ahead of Ryan Busse, 20.2 points clear. Across 35 elections since 1889, Republicans have won 14 and Democrats 21. Of those, the closest was 1892, decided by 1.2 points; the widest 1996, by 58.4 points.

2024 Montana Governor

Greg Gianforte R 354,569 · Ryan Busse D 232,644

2020 Montana Governor

Greg Gianforte R 328,548 · Mike Cooney D 250,860

2016 Montana Governor

Steve Bullock D 255,933 · Greg Gianforte R 236,115

2012 Montana Governor

Steve Bullock D 236,450 · Rick Hill R 228,879

2008 Montana Governor

Brian Schweitzer D 318,670 · Roy Brown R 158,268

2004 Montana Governor

Brian Schweitzer D 225,016 · Bob Brown R 205,313

2000 Montana Governor

Judy Martz R 209,135 · Mark O'Keefe D 193,131

1996 Montana Governor

Marc Racicot R 320,768 · Judy Jacobson D 84,407

1992 Montana Governor

Marc Racicot R 209,401 · Dorothy Bradley D 198,421

1988 Montana Governor

Stan Stephens R 190,604 · Thomas Lee Judge D 169,313

1984 Montana Governor

Ted Schwinden D 266,578 · Pat M. Goodover R 100,070

1980 Montana Governor

Ted Schwinden D 199,574 · Jack Ramirez R 160,892

1976 Montana Governor

Thomas Lee Judge D 195,420 · Bob Woodahl R 115,848

1972 Montana Governor

Thomas Lee Judge D 172,523 · Ed Smith R 146,231

1968 Montana Governor

Forrest H. Anderson D 150,481 · Tim Babcock R 116,432

1964 Montana Governor

Tim Babcock R 144,113 · Roland Renne D 136,862

1960 Montana Governor

Donald Grant Nutter R 154,230 · Paul C. Cannon D 125,651

1956 Montana Governor

J. Hugo Aronson R 138,878 · Arnold Olsen D 131,488

1952 Montana Governor

J. Hugo Aronson R 134,423 · John W. Bonner D 129,369

1948 Montana Governor

John W. Bonner D 124,267 · Sam C. Ford R 97,792

1944 Montana Governor

Sam C. Ford R 116,461 · Leif Erickson D 89,224

1940 Montana Governor

Sam C. Ford R 124,435 · Roy E. Ayers D 119,453

1936 Montana Governor

Roy E. Ayers D 115,310 · Frank A. Hazelbaker R 108,914

1932 Montana Governor

John E. Erickson D 104,949 · Frank A. Hazelbaker R 101,105

1928 Montana Governor

John E. Erickson D 113,635 · Wellington D. Rankin R 79,777

1924 Montana Governor

John E. Erickson D 88,801 · Joseph M. Dixon R 74,126 · Frank J. Edwards D 10,666

1920 Montana Governor

Joseph M. Dixon R 111,113 · Burton K. Wheeler D 74,875

1916 Montana Governor

Sam V. Stewart D 85,683 · Frank J. Edwards R 76,547 · Lewis Johnstone Duncan S 11,342

1912 Montana Governor

Sam V. Stewart D 25,381 · Harry L. Wilson R 22,950

1908 Montana Governor

Edwin L. Norris D 32,282 · Edward Donlan R 30,792 · Harry Hazelton S 5,112

1904 Montana Governor

Joseph Toole D 35,377 · William Lindsay R 26,957 · Malcolm G. O'Malley S 3,431

1900 Montana Governor

Joseph Toole D 31,419 · David S. Folsom R 22,691 · Thomas S. Hogan D 9,188

1896 Montana Governor

Robert Burns Smith D 36,688 · Alexander C. Botkin R 14,993

1892 Montana Governor

John E. Rickards R 18,187 · Timothy E. Collins D 17,650 · William Kennedy P 7,794

1889 Montana Governor

Joseph Toole D 19,735 · Thomas C. Power R 18,991