Ravalli County, Montana

Montana Senate District 43

2 candidates are tracked for Montana Senate District 43 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: David Bedey and Stephen Leuchtman. Candidate information follows official Ravalli County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

David Bedey (Republican), Stephen Leuchtman (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Montana Senate District 43. The state's list marks no incumbent for this seat. 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.

Montana › Ravalli County › Montana Senate District 43

David Bedey

Republican

Top priorities

Wants to restore civility and reduce hyper-partisanship in the legislature
Favors effective governance over ideological extremism
Says he works to represent all constituents

Per the campaign site.

Biography

David is a retired Army Colonel with a 30-year military career, including combat engineer service in the Persian Gulf War and a professorship at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, per the campaign site. He holds degrees including a PhD in Space Physics, and is serving his fourth term in the Montana House representing District 86, per the campaign site. He also served 9 years on the Hamilton School Board, 7 as chairman, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Stephen Leuchtman

Democratic

Biography

Stephen Leuchtman is the Democratic nominee for Montana Senate District 43 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Montana Secretary of State's 2026 candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 17, 2026.

Next on your ballotMontana House District 85

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Montana Senate District 43 in 2026?

When is the Montana Senate District 43 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 Ravalli 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 Ravalli County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Ravalli County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Montana House District 86 Montana House District 87 Montana House District 88 See all 6 Ravalli County races

Candidate profiles

David Bedey, full profile Stephen Leuchtman, full profile Official Montana election office