1978 Montana Senate election


The 1978 Montana Senate election took place on November 7, 1978, with the primary election held on June 6, 1978. Montana voters elected 27 of the 50 members of the Montana Senate. The election coincided with United States national elections and Montana state elections, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and Montana House.
Following the previous election in 1976, the chamber was tied with both Democrats and Republicans holding 25 seats. Republicans flipped control of the chamber in 1978 by winning 26 seats while Democrats held 24—giving Republicans a net gain of one seat. The newly elected members served in the 46th Montana State Legislature, during which Republican William L. Mathers was elected President of the Montana Senate.

Retiring incumbents

Democrats

  1. District 6: W. Gordon McOmber
  2. District 11: Joe R. Roberts
  3. District 19: John W. “Jack” Devine
  4. District 43: Robert E. "Bob" Lee
  5. District 46: Miles Romney

Incumbent defeated in primary election

Democrat

  1. District 48: Elmer Flynn

Incumbents defeated in general election

Democrats

  1. District 18: Margaret S. Warden
  2. District 40: Terry Murphy

Republicans

  1. District 15: Frank Dunkle
  2. District 36: L. M. “Larry” Aber
  3. District 50: William E. "Bill" Murray

Summary of results

Italics denote an open seat held by the incumbent party; bold text denotes a gain for a party.

Detailed results by district

District 15

District 34

District 43

District 50

  • District 50 held a special election to fill the last two years of a vacated term.