Teton County, Montana

Montana House District 17

2 candidates are tracked for Montana House District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Chris Bechtold and Justin W. Cleveland. Candidate information follows official Teton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Chris Bechtold (Democratic), Justin W. Cleveland (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Montana House District 17. 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 › Teton County › Montana House District 17

Chris Bechtold

Democratic

Biography

Chris is a retired small business owner and ranch manager who has lived in House District 17 for 33 years, per the Choteau Acantha. He managed the Diamond 4D Ranch west of Choteau for 14 years, building up its bison herd, and previously ran a main street business in Choteau called Wings and Wild Things. He is a past president of the Montana Bison Association and has served on the boards of the Old Trail Museum and the Choteau Chamber of Commerce. No campaign website was found as of September 17, 2026.

Justin W. Cleveland

Republican

Biography

Justin graduated from Fairfield High School and spent the majority of his working years at 3 Rivers Telephone Cooperative after working in grain bin and steel building construction and at Eisenman Seed Co., per the Choteau Acantha. He has lived in House District 17 for 62 years and has been a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Fairfield Faith Bible Church for 35 years. He previously ran for the seat in 2022.

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Montana House District 17 in 2026?

When is the Montana House District 17 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 Teton 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 Teton 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 Teton County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Teton County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Public Service Commission District 5 Montana Senate District 9 See all 4 Teton County races

Candidate profiles

Chris Bechtold, full profile Justin W. Cleveland, full profile Official Montana election office