The 2016 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2016, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Montana, concurrently with the presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
Incumbent Democratic governor Steve Bullock won re-election to a second term in office with 50.3% of the vote by a 3.9% margin, defeating Republican Greg Gianforte, who later won Montana's governorship in 2020 when Bullock was term-limited.
In the concurrent presidential election, Hillary Clinton lost Montana by more than 20%, with Bullock thus over-performing her vote share by more than 14% and her margin of defeat by more than 24%.
As of 2026, this is the most recent election where a Democrat won the Governor's office and/or a state level office.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee Steve Bullock, incumbent governor Running mate: Mike Cooney, incumbent lieutenant governor
Eliminated in primary Bill McChesney, former state representative Running mate: Mike Anderson
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee Greg Gianforte, founder of RightNow Technologies and conservative activist Running mate: Lesley Robinson, Phillips County Commissioner
Eliminated in primary Terry Nelson, planning administrator for Ravalli County, Montana Running mate: Niki Sardot
Withdrawn Brad Johnson, chairman of the Montana Public Service Commission and former secretary of state of Montana Mark Perea, businessman and nominee for the state senate in 2012 (did not file)
Declined Taylor Brown, state senator Jeff Essman, state representative and former president of the State Senate Tim Fox, Attorney General of Montana (running for re-election) Ryan Zinke, U.S. representative (running for re-election)
Endorsements
Results
Third parties Independent Declared Christopher Zarcone
Libertarian Declared Ted Dunlap, perennial candidate Running mate: Ron Vandevender, perennial candidate
Withdrew Ron Vandevender, perennial candidate
General election Debates Complete video of debate, September 19, 2016 - C-SPAN
Endorsements
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report August 12, 2016 Daily Kos November 8, 2016 Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2016 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 7, 2016 Real Clear Politics November 1, 2016 Governing October 27, 2016
Polling {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;" |- valign= bottom ! Poll source ! Date(s)administered ! Samplesize ! Margin oferror ! style="width:100px;"| SteveBullock (D) ! style="width:100px;"| GregGianforte (R) ! style="width:100px;"| TedDunlap (L) ! Undecided |- |SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey | align=center| November 1–7, 2016 | align=center| 449 | align=center| ± 4.6% | align=center| 44% | align=center| 46% | align=center| 7% | align=center| 3% |- |SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey | align=center| October 31–November 6, 2016 | align=center| 410 | align=center| ± 4.6% | align=center| 45% | align=center| 44% | align=center| 8% | align=center| 3% |- |SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey | align=center| October 28–November 3, 2016 | align=center| 403 | align=center| ± 4.6% | align=center| 46% | align=center| 46% | align=center| 7% | align=center| 1% |- |SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey | align=center| October 27–November 2, 2016 | align=center| 376 | align=center| ± 4.6% | align=center| 48% | align=center| 43% | align=center| 7% | align=center| 2% |- |SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey | align=center| October 26–November 1, 2016 | align=center| 385 | align=center| ± 4.6% | align=center| 51% | align=center| 41% | align=center| 7% | align=center| 1% |- |SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey | align=center| October 25–31, 2016 | align=center| 405 | align=center| ± 4.6% | align=center| 53% | align=center| 39% | align=center| 7% | align=center| 1% |- |Mason-DixonMason-Dixon | align=center| October 10–12, 2016 | align=center| 1,003 | align=center| ± 3.2% | align=center| 47% | align=center| 45% | align=center| 2% | align=center| 6% |- |Montana State University BillingsMontana State University Billings | align=center| October 3–10, 2016 | align=center| 590 | align=center| ± 4.0% | align=center| 44% | align=center| 32% | align=center| 3% | align=center| 20%
with Ryan Zinke Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveBullock (D) RyanZinke (R) Other UndecidedGravis MarketingGravis Marketing February 24–25, 2015 1,035 ± 3% 44% 44% — 11%Gravis Marketing November 24–25, 2014 836 ± 3% 41% 49% — 10%
with Tim Fox Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveBullock (D) TimFox (R) Other UndecidedGravis Marketing February 24–25, 2015 1,035 ± 3% 46% 38% — 16%Gravis Marketing November 24–25, 2014 836 ± 3% 41% 45% — 14%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 20–22, 2013 741 ± 4% 46% 43% — 11%
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Park (largest city: Livingston)
References
External links Official campaign websites (archived) Steve Bullock (D) for Governor Greg Gianforte (R) for Governor Ron Vandevender (L) for Governor