From Savage to Kalispell, Montana Legislative Leadership Now Set

From Savage to the Flathead, legislative leadership posts are now set for the 2025 Montana Legislative Session.

Rep. Brandon Ler (R-Savage) is your newly elected Speaker of the House in the Montana House of Representatives, and the man who served as speaker in the last session- Senator-Elect Matt Regier (R-Kalispell) is your new President of the Montana State Senate.

They're both a couple of great guys I've enjoyed getting to know these past few years. One of my favorite images of Speaker-Elect Ler is when he was on the golf course for the Montana Chamber's Governors Cup: he's still rocking his boots, cowboy hat, jeans, and plaid shirt. Savage! And President-Elect Regier: his sister and father both serve/have served in the legislature. What a great family all around.

Congrats also to State Rep. Katie Sullivan (D-Missoula) who was selected as House Minority Leader for the Democrats. I went to college with her husband, who is a great guy, and she has joined us on the radio in the past.

Blair Miller also shared via X that Sen. Tom McGillvray (R-Billings) will be Senate Majority Leader. Sen. Ken Bogner (R-Miles City) will be Senate President pro tem. Senate GOP whips: Lenz, Usher, Vinton, Daniel Zolnikov.

On the Democrat side, Sen. Pat Flowers (D-Belgrade) will be Senate Minority Leader, while Senators Shane Morigeau, Webber, and Smith will serve as whips.

Full press release from the Senator Majority:

Senate Republicans Elect Leadership for the 2025 Legislative Session

HELENA, Mont.— Republicans serving in the incoming State Senate caucused today and chose the Senate’s leadership for the upcoming 2025 legislative session.

Senate Republicans elected Senator Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, to serve as the next President of the Senate. Regier was the Speaker of the House in the 2023 legislative session.

“It’s an honor to serve as the next President of the Senate,” Regier said. “I look forward to working with senators on passing a conservative balanced budget, giving Montanans tax relief, and preserving the Montana way of life for future generations.”

Republican senators elected Senator Ken Bogner, R-Miles City, as the next Senate President Pro Tempore, which can be thought of as the “vice president” of the Senate. Bogner also served as Pro Tempore in the 2023 session and is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

“I’m excited to continue in my role as President Pro Tempore,” Bogner said. “It’s a privilege to serve the people of Montana and help make the 2025 Legislature productive and successful for our constituents.”

Senate Republicans chose Senator Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, as their Majority Leader. McGillvray previously served as House Majority Leader in the 2011 session.

"I'm honored to have the support of my fellow Republicans and I look forward to accomplishing our conservative agenda that the people of Montana overwhelmingly supported on Election Day,” McGillvray said. “We will keep working hard to make Montana the most free and fiscally responsible state in the republic."

Republican senators also chose Sens. Dennis Lenz, Barry Usher, Sue Vinton, and Daniel Zolnikov as Majority Whips and elected senators to serve on the Committee on Committees, the Senate leadership committee charged with making committee assignments. Lenz and Usher were Senate whips in the 2023 session. Vinton was House Majority Leader and Zolnikov served on Committee on Committees in the 2023 session.

Legislators of both parties in both the House and Senate will continue meeting at the State Capitol this week to iron out committee assignments, participate in legislator orientation, and prepare for the upcoming legislative session.

A photo of the Senate leadership team is attached to this release.

The 69th Montana Legislature will be sworn in and begin the next legislative session on January 6, 2025.

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