Republican for Superintendent of Public Instruction
Arntzen
Website: elsieformontana.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SuperintendentElsieArntzen
Twitter: twitter.com/elsieformontana
Arntzen, formerly a state legislator from Billings, was elected superintendent of public instruction in 2016.
Race overview: 2020 Superintendent of Public Instruction
Key coverage in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction
Race profile: The rematch for OPI
Four years after their first electoral contest, Elsie Arntzen and Melissa Romano are once again battling for the state superintendent of public instruction seat.
Montana Lowdown: Elsie Arntzen
Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen interviewed by MTFP Editor-In-Chief John Adams before the June 2020 primary
Montana Lowdown: Melissa Romano
Teacher Melissa Romano interviewed by MTFP Editor-In-Chief John Adams before the June 2020 primary
MTN News debate: Superintendent of Public Instruction
Video of Arntzen and Romano at their MTN News debate broadcast Sept. 18
Fundraising and campaign spending
As a state candidate, Arntzen files campaign finance reports with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices. See the COPP Campaign Electronic Reporting System for official records. Data shown here is current through 11/02/2020.
$204,528
Total raised
$187,720
Total spending
$80,648
Itemized individual contributions
$16,260
From committees
$85,000
Self-financing
$22,620
Unitemized
Note: Self-financing includes candidate contributions and campaign loans. Prior to Jan. 17, 2019, these figures underreported fundraising for state candidates by omitting unitemized contributions. Unitemized contribution totals, which include small-dollar donations, are calculated here by subtracting itemized cash contributions from reported fundraising totals.
Contributions by zip code: Elsie Arntzen (R)
95.2%
Portion of itemized fundraising from Montana donors
441
Itemized individual contributions
106
Number at $360 contribution limit
Note: Individual donors are limited to giving $710 per election to gubernatorial candidates and $360 per election to candidates for other statewide offices, with the primary and general contests counted as separate elections.
Media coverage
Stories tracked in our database of 2020 election coverage.
Great Falls Tribune
School superintendent candidates face each other 2nd time
10/31/2020
Montana Public Radio
Romano Criticizes Handling Of School Relief Funding, But Offers No Plan
10/19/2020
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
State Republican candidates campaign in Livingston
10/09/2020
Lee Newspapers
GOP candidates tour Montana before ballots go out
10/08/2020
406 MT Sports
Montana schools chief wants at least some fans in stands at sporting events
08/26/2020
MTN News
Montana schools chief questions school mask guidelines
08/24/2020
KGVO
OPI Superintendent Arntzen Slams Governor Bullock on Education
07/21/2020
Great Falls Tribune
Montana superintendent Elsie Arntzen, six weeks in
04/30/2019
On the issues
Due to time constraints, MTFP didn't conduct a candidate questionnaire for this race before the June primary.
Stay tuned for more
We'll be updating this page with new information through Election Day in November 2020.
Have ideas about additional coverage that would be helpful as you consider your vote? Tell us at edietrich@montanafreepress.org.