Democrat for Superintendent of Public Instruction
Romano
Website: romanoformontana.com
Facebook: facebook.com/romanoformontana
Twitter: twitter.com/MelissaRomanoMT
Romano is a Helena teacher. She was the 2016 Democratic nominee for superintendent of public instruction, losing to Arntzen.
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, Romano 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 10/14/2020.
$489,799
Total raised
$432,036
Total spending
$340,346
Itemized individual contributions
$14,140
From committees
$350
Self-financing
$134,963
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: Melissa Romano (D)
94.8%
Portion of itemized fundraising from Montana donors
4,670
Itemized individual contributions
170
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
Zoom or bust: Some Montana candidates turn to virtual meeting platform to campaign
09/27/2020
Missoula Current
Student debt, early ed and teacher talent top Cooney’s public education plan
08/28/2020
MTN News
Helena teacher, and husband of OPI candidate, faces felony drug charge
12/03/2019
Lee Newspapers
Romano to take another run at top education job in 2020
04/30/2019
Havre Daily News
Dem statewide office candidates speak in Havre
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.