Senate Republicans Retain Regier as Senate President
Montana Senate Republicans chose their 2027 leadership team, with Matt Regier keeping the Senate President post.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Montana Senate Republicans caucused and unanimously retained Sen. Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, as Senate President for the 2027 session. The caucus also unanimously elected Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, as President Pro Tempore and Sen. Sue Vinton, R-Billings, as Majority Leader.
Why it matters
The leadership team will shape which bills advance and how committees are staffed when the 70th Montana Legislature convenes. Regier said he looks forward to passing a conservative balanced budget and giving Montanans tax relief.
Senate Republicans unanimously chose four Majority Whips: Sens. Vince Ricci, Dennis Lenz, Becky Beard and Denley Loge. Six senators, including Tom McGillvray, Carl Glimm and Josh Kassmier, will serve on the Committee on Committees, which assigns members to panels.
The players
Matt Regier
Regier is a Republican state senator from Kalispell who has served as Montana Senate President since 2025.
Daniel Zolnikov
Zolnikov is a Republican state senator from Billings who previously served as Senate Majority Whip.
Sue Vinton
Vinton is a Republican state senator from Billings who previously served as House Majority Leader and Senate Majority Whip.
The details
Republican senators caucused on November 11, 2026, to choose the Senate leadership team for the upcoming session. Zolnikov served as Senate Majority Whip during the 2025-2026 Legislature, while Vinton previously served as House Majority Leader and Senate Majority Whip.
Timeline
November 11, 2026: Senate Republicans caucus and choose leadership.
This week: Legislators of both parties meet at the State Capitol to set committee assignments.
January 4, 2027: The 70th Montana Legislature is sworn in and the session begins.
Political Context
Montana's Legislature meets in regular sessions every two years, so leadership choices made in November set the agenda for the session that begins in January. Leadership continuity, as with Regier's retention, signals how the majority plans to pursue its budget and tax priorities.
Leadership decisions determine which bills receive committee hearings and floor votes, affecting taxes and state spending that Montanans pay and receive. Regier's stated goal of a balanced budget and tax relief points to the policies residents may see once the session starts.
The takeaway
Leadership continuity in Montana's Senate suggests the majority will carry its budget and tax agenda into the 2027 session largely intact. Readers can track committee assignments as they are finalized to see which lawmakers will shape those priorities.
What happens next
The 70th Montana Legislature will be sworn in and begin its session on January 4, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Legislative Policy to see how Montana lawmakers shape state rules and budgets.
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