Montana's seventy-eighth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Gordon Pierson.

As of the 2012 census, a total of 10,049 civilians reside within Montana's seventy-eighth state house district. Montana state representatives represent an average of 9,894 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 9,022 residents.

About the office

Members of the Montana House of Representatives are subject to term limits and may not serve more than four two-year terms. Montana legislators assume office the first Monday of January following the election.

Qualifications

To be eligible to serve in the Montana House of Representatives, a candidate must be:

• A resident of the state for at least one year next preceding the general election
• A resident of the county for six months preceding the general election if it contains one or more districts or of the district if it contains all or parts of more than one county.

Salaries

Term limits

The Montana legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Montana Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Montana representatives are subject to term limits of no more than four two-year terms, or a total of eight years.

The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the house, the Board of County Commissioners that represent the vacant seat must select a replacement. The Secretary of State must notify the Board of Commissioners and the county central committee of the political party that holds the vacant seat no later than seven days after the vacancy happened. The county central committee has 45 days after receiving notice from the Secretary of State to provide a list of candidates to the Board of County Commissioners. The board must select a replacement no later than 15 days after receiving the list of candidates. If the Senate is in session, the selection must be made no later than five days after receiving a candidate list. Any person selected to fill a Senate seat serves until the next scheduled general election.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Montana House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline is March 9, 2020.

2018

No Republican candidates ran in the primary.

2016

Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 14, 2016.

Incumbent Gordon Pierson defeated Dean DeSilva in the Montana House of Representatives District 78 general election.

Montana House of Representatives, District 78 General Election, 2016

Incumbent Gordon Pierson ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 78 Democratic primary.
Dean DeSilva ran unopposed in the Montana House of Representatives District 78 Republican primary.

2012

Elections for the office of Montana House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 5, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 12, 2012. Incumbent Steve Gibson (R) defeated Joe Cohenour (D) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the June 8 primary elections.

Montana House of Representatives, District 78, General Election, 2012

Campaign contributions

From 2012 to 2016, candidates for Montana House of Representatives District 78 raised a total of $33,876. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $4,839 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Montana House of Representatives District 78