Yellowstone County, Montana

Montana Senate District 23

2 candidates are tracked for Montana Senate District 23 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Emma Kerr-Carpenter and Joanna Oblander. Candidate information follows official Yellowstone County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Emma Kerr-Carpenter (Democratic), Joanna Oblander (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Montana Senate District 23. Emma Kerr-Carpenter 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, Emma Kerr-Carpenter, is on the ballot.

Montana › Yellowstone County › Montana Senate District 23

Emma Kerr-Carpenter

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities

Supports funding public safety and expanding access to mental health care and treatment in Billings
Supports investing in the economy with support for workers, small businesses and higher wages
Supports affordable housing, childcare and lower taxes for families

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Emma spent her career working with youth and their families to address poverty, trauma and crisis, per the campaign site. She has served four legislative sessions in the Montana Senate focused on public safety funding, healthcare access, environmental protection and education, per the campaign site. She lives in Billings and is a mother of two young sons, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Joanna Oblander

Republican

Biography

Joanna has owned a small business for more than 20 years and has operated a community food co-op in Yellowstone County, per a Montana Republican Party candidate profile. She is the mother of six and grandmother of twenty-three, per the profile. No campaign website was found as of September 17, 2026.

Next on your ballotMontana Senate District 25

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Montana Senate District 23 in 2026?

When is the Montana Senate District 23 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 Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Yellowstone County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Montana House District 35 Montana House District 38 Montana House District 39 See all 27 Yellowstone County races

Candidate profiles

Emma Kerr-Carpenter, full profile Joanna Oblander, full profile Official Montana election office