Montana State House District 97
Tue, Nov 3 · Represented by Melody Cunningham Democratic · Member list as of Oct 28
Melody CunninghamDemocratic · Incumbent2 years since first winMichael P HagestadRepublican
No published poll names both candidates.Last result · 2024 general: Melody Cunningham (D) 60.4, Nick Knowles (R) 35.6, Richard L. Armerding (L) 4.1
- Last election
- Melody Cunningham (Democratic) won by 24.8 points, 2024
- On the 2026 ballot
- 2 candidates
Side by side
Left column: CunninghamRight column: Hagestad
- Races
- Won 1 of 1
- None listed
- Years since first win
- 2
- Not available
How these are counted
Wins and losses count the races in our results files, the same as each profile.
More about this race
Candidates on the ballot
- Melody CunninghamIncumbentDemocratic
- Michael P HagestadRepublican
Party nominees only, not the certified ballot.
Source: candidatefiling.mt.gov, dated Oct 28
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- Democratic
- Republican
- Independent
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- More than one party
- No member listed
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History (26 elections for this seat)
- Votes for listed candidates
- 6,050
- Election day
- November 5, 2024
- District map
- Older district map (2022 to 2024)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2024, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticMelody CunninghamWon Democratic 3,65160.4% RepublicanNick Knowles Republican 2,15235.6% LibertarianRichard L. Armerding Libertarian 2474.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 5,176
- Election day
- November 8, 2022
- District map
- Older district map (2014 to 2022)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2022, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanLyn HellegaardWon Republican 2,89856.0% DemocraticDevin Jackson Democratic 2,27844.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 6,284
- Election day
- November 3, 2020
- District map
- Older district map (2014 to 2020)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2020, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanBrad TschidaWon(incumbent) Republican 3,57756.9% DemocraticLouann Hansen Democratic 2,70743.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 5,369
- Election day
- November 6, 2018
- District map
- Older district map (2014 to 2018)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2018, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanBradley E. TschidaWon(incumbent) Republican 3,12558.2% DemocraticPatrick Maloney Democratic 2,24441.8% - Votes for listed candidates
- 5,199
- Election day
- November 8, 2016
- District map
- Older district map (2014 to 2016)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2016, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanBrad TschidaWon(incumbent) Republican 3,10359.7% DemocraticNick Davis Democratic 2,09640.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 4,049
- Election day
- November 4, 2014
- District map
- Older district map (2014)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2014, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanBrad TschidaWon Republican 2,20954.6% DemocraticBill Geer Democratic 1,74943.2% LibertarianCharles Satchfield Libertarian 912.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 4,815
- Election day
- November 6, 2012
- District map
- Older district map (2004 to 2013)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2012, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticNancy WilsonWon Democratic 3,16665.8% RepublicanGary E. Sanders Republican 1,64934.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 3,223
- Election day
- November 2, 2010
- District map
- Older district map (2004 to 2013)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2010, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticMichele ReinhartWon(incumbent) Democratic 2,01962.6% RepublicanRyan Thompson Republican 1,20437.4% - Votes for listed candidates
- 5,252
- Election day
- November 4, 2008
- District map
- Older district map (2004 to 2013)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2008, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticMichele ReinhartWon(incumbent) Democratic 3,69370.3% RepublicanCarol Minjares Republican 1,55929.7% - Votes for listed candidates
- 4,214
- Election day
- November 7, 2006
- District map
- Older district map (2004 to 2013)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2006, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticMichele ReinhartWon Democratic 2,98270.8% RepublicanPascal Redfern Republican 1,23229.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 4,719
- Election day
- November 2, 2004
- District map
- Older district map (2004 to 2013)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2004, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticDavid E. WanzenriedWon(incumbent) Democratic 3,06464.9% RepublicanAllen Lee Republican 1,65535.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,150
- Election day
- November 5, 2002
- District map
- Older district map (1994 to 2003)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2002, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDonald L. HedgesWon(incumbent) Republican 2,150100.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,931
- Election day
- November 7, 2000
- District map
- Older district map (1994 to 2003)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 2000, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDonald L. HedgesWon(incumbent) Republican 1,62055.3% DemocraticWillard Michels Democratic 1,31144.7% - Votes for listed candidates
- 3,244
- Election day
- November 3, 1998
- District map
- Older district map (1994 to 2003)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1998, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDonald L. HedgesWon Republican 1,72953.3% DemocraticEllis W. Hagen Democratic 1,51546.7% - Votes for listed candidates
- 3,724
- Election day
- November 5, 1996
- District map
- Older district map (1994 to 2003)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1996, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanCharles R. DevaneyWon(incumbent) Republican 2,20559.2% DemocraticFred Quivik Democratic 1,51940.8% - Votes for listed candidates
- 3,626
- Election day
- November 8, 1994
- District map
- Older district map (1994 to 2003)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1994, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanCharles R. DevaneyWon Republican 1,98054.6% DemocraticEllis W. Hagen Democratic 1,64645.4% - Votes for listed candidates
- 3,937
- Election day
- November 3, 1992
- District map
- Older district map (1984 to 1993)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1992, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanKaryl WinslowWon Republican 2,15954.8% DemocraticJohn F. Scott(incumbent) Democratic 1,77845.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,972
- Election day
- November 6, 1990
- District map
- Older district map (1984 to 1993)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1990, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn F. ScottWon Democratic 1,49650.3% RepublicanJohn W. Patterson(incumbent) Republican 1,47649.7% - Votes for listed candidates
- 3,484
- Election day
- November 8, 1988
- District map
- Older district map (1984 to 1993)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1988, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanJohn W. PattersonWon(incumbent) Republican 1,98356.9% DemocraticJohn F. Scott Democratic 1,50143.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 3,196
- Election day
- November 4, 1986
- District map
- Older district map (1984 to 1993)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1986, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanJohn W. PattersonWon(incumbent) Republican 1,86758.4% DemocraticChuck Super Democratic 1,32941.6% - Votes for listed candidates
- 3,319
- Election day
- November 6, 1984
- District map
- Older district map (1984 to 1993)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1984, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanJohn W. PattersonWon Republican 1,99260.0% DemocraticChuck Super Democratic 1,32740.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,211
- Election day
- November 2, 1982
- District map
- Older district map (1974 to 1983)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1982, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticSteve WaldronWon(incumbent) Democratic 1,51868.7% RepublicanDan G. Fix Republican 69331.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,243
- Election day
- November 4, 1980
- District map
- Older district map (1974 to 1983)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1980, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticSteve WaldronWon(incumbent) Democratic 2,243100.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,129
- Election day
- November 7, 1978
- District map
- Older district map (1974 to 1983)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1978, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticSteve WaldronWon(incumbent) Democratic 1,46268.7% RepublicanFred O. Brauer Republican 66731.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 2,856
- Election day
- November 2, 1976
- District map
- Older district map (1974 to 1983)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1976, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticSteve WaldronWon Democratic 2,09373.3% RepublicanJohn S. Anderson Republican 76326.7% - Votes for listed candidates
- 1,903
- Election day
- November 4, 1974
- District map
- Older district map (1974 to 1983)
Montana House of Representatives District 97, 1974 to 2024, 1974, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticDuane JohnsonWon Democratic 1,37772.4% RepublicanElvin Smith Republican 52627.6%
- 2024: MEDSL 2024 official precinct returns (individual_states zips), retrieved Oct 28, 2026. Compiled by MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL) from official returns; not an official source
- 1974 to 2022: State Legislative Election Returns, 1967-2022 (Carl Klarner, Harvard Dataverse), retrieved Oct 28, 2026. Compiled by Carl Klarner (Harvard Dataverse) from official returns; not an official source
Last contest in this district on file: 2024.
Download and cite
Cite this page
Election Wrld. (2026). Montana State House District 97, election results 1974 to 2024. https://www.electionwrld.com/mt/house/97. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
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Sources
Sources: Census TIGERweb Legislative MapServer (120th CDs layer 0, 119th CDs layer 4, 2026 SLD upper layer 1 and lower layer 2) (US Census Bureau, public domain), retrieved Oct 28, 2026; Open Civic Data division identifiers (census_autogenerated us_sldl/us_sldu and openstates state files); also (sld-recent.json): Open Civic Data division identifiers (country-us) (CC0 (repository); also (sld-recent.json): CC0 1.0), retrieved Oct 28, 2026; Open States people (current) CSVs (CC0-1.0 (Open States people data)), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by Open States volunteers and staff (rosters from state legislature sites) from official returns, not an official source; MEDSL 2024 official precinct returns (individual_states zips) (Not stated in the GitHub repository (an earlier label said "MIT (repo)", which the repository does not support). MEDSL's Harvard Dataverse records are CC0 1.0, but these GitHub files were not checksum-matched to the Dataverse files, so CC0 is not claimed for them.), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL) from official returns, not an official source; State Legislative Election Returns, 1967-2022 (Carl Klarner, Harvard Dataverse) (CC0 1.0), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by Carl Klarner (Harvard Dataverse) from official returns, not an official source.
District id: ocd-division/country:us/state:mt/sldl:97
DataState data (JSON)Sources: State Legislative Election Returns, 1967-2022 (Carl Klarner, Harvard Dataverse), MEDSL 2024 official precinct returnsData as of Oct 28, 2026