The Ballot Brief
Flathead County, Montana

Montana House District 9

2 candidates are tracked for Montana House District 9 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Steven C. Kelly and Kate McLaughlin. Candidate information follows official Flathead County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Steven C. Kelly (Republican), Kate McLaughlin (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Montana House District 9. Steven C. Kelly is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's list. Party nominees were chosen at the June 2, 2026 primary, per the Montana Secretary of State's 2026 candidate list.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Steven C. Kelly, is on the ballot.

Montana › Flathead County › Montana House District 9

Steven C. Kelly

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Capping property tax increases and ensuring fair, transparent assessments
  • Expanding capacity in prosecution, courts, corrections and mental health services
  • Moving mentally ill defendants into treatment rather than jail and expanding the state's secure mental health system

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Steven worked in farming, welding, equipment operation, machining and retail before a 30 year law enforcement career, including 25 years with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office in Nevada, where he retired as a Captain overseeing more than 200 officers, per the campaign site. He holds degrees in Business Management and Management and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, per the campaign site.

Kate McLaughlin

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Focuses on family safety and security
  • Supports environmental protections
  • Supports health and human services programs

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Kate is based in Kalispell and is running for the Montana House as a Democrat, per her campaign site.

Next on your ballotMontana House District 10

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Montana House District 9 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Montana House District 9 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Steven C. Kelly and Kate McLaughlin. Candidate information follows official Flathead County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Montana House District 9 election in Montana?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Montana are on the Montana election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Flathead County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Flathead County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Montana election office, or see the full Flathead County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Flathead County ballot

25 tracked races in Flathead County, Montana. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Montana House District 11Montana House District 12Montana House District 15See all 25 Flathead County races
Candidate profiles
Steven C. Kelly, full profileKate McLaughlin, full profileOfficial Montana election office