Missoula Primary Election 2024: Winners, Turnout, and Key Figures

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The Missoula County Election Center was full of media and reporters eager to get the first run of election results in the 2024 primary.

The one issue on everyone’s mind was the fate of the Missoula Fire Department Levy.

The first preliminary numbers released show the fire levy passing easily with 8,508 or 57.4 percent for and 5,207 or 35.13 percent against.

The Initial Reports have the Fire Levy Passing 57 to 35 percent

The Presidential race had both the incumbent Democrat Joe Biden and Republican former President and challenger Donald Trump running unopposed.

For the U.S. Senate, Democrat incumbent Jon Tester received 95 percent of the vote, while his Republican challenger Tim Sheehy received 70 percent of the votes with Brad Johnson at 17 percent.

No surprises in the Presidential and U.S. Senate Races

For the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican incumbent Ryan Zinke had 75 percent of the votes, while his Democratic challenger Monica Tranel received 94 percent.

Governor Gianforte will Face Ryan Busse in the General Election

Incumbent Republican Governor Greg Gianforte received 75 percent of the primary votes, with Democrat newcomer Ryan Busse getting 70 percent.

Missoula County Elections Administrator Bradley Seaman spoke to reporters after the first results were printed.

“As we go through here, we're currently looking at a voter turnout of around 27 percent compared to the 2022 election with 37.1 percent, but our results have not come in from each of our polling places or all of our absentee ballots yet, so we expect to see that number go up,” began Seaman.

Seaman said the primary process has been a successful tune-up for the general election in November.

“This is exactly our test for the general,” he said. “We've got quite a few teams over here who've been waiting to get a little more work, and we expect to have twice the number of voters in the general election. So we're looking really good. We'll always have a few areas we can calibrate and improve upon, but overall I feel like today has been a really great day, and we're excited to be generating the last of our reports and wrapping up strong tonight.”

READ MORE: MCPS Will Make Cuts Due to High School Safety Levy Failure

There will be a press conference in the Mayor’s office on Wednesday with Missoula City Fire Chief Gordy Hughes to discuss the results and the impact of the fire levy passage.

The 2024 General Election will be on Tuesday, November 5.