Three district-based seats on the five-member Montana Public Service Commission, which regulates monopoly utilities including power companies such as NorthWestern Energy. Commissioners are elected to four-year terms. The remaining two commissioners, Randy Pinocci and Brad Johnson, are out-of-cycle in 2020. Johnson made an unsuccessful bid for secretary of state.
Public Service Commission
Candidates
District 2
Representing Billings and southeast Montana. Incumbent Tony O’Donnell is seeking re-election.
District 3
Representing Bozeman, Butte and southwest Montana. Incumbent Roger Koopman is facing term limits.
Key coverage in the race for Public Service Commission
Race profile: Six candidates vie for three Public Service Commission seats
With one incumbent seeking reelection and two open seats, November's election will bring new leadership to the troubled regulatory agency at the heart of Montana’s energy politics
Campaign finance
No campaign finance data compiled for this race at this time.
Primary results
Vote totals from Montana's June 2, 2020 primary election.
PSC District 2, Dem.
| Candidate | Votes counted | % of vote | Votes behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| VALERIE MCMURTRY | 20,630 | 100.0% | 0 |
PSC District 2, GOP
| Candidate | Votes counted | % of vote | Votes behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| TONY O'DONNELL | 14,281 | 36.2% | 0 |
| KIRK BUSHMAN | 13,036 | 33.0% | 1,245 |
| DANIEL ZOLNIKOV | 12,130 | 30.8% | 2,151 |
PSC District 3, Dem.
| Candidate | Votes counted | % of vote | Votes behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOM WOODS | 33,009 | 100.0% | 0 |
PSC District 3, GOP
| Candidate | Votes counted | % of vote | Votes behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES BROWN | 24,086 | 64.8% | 0 |
| ALAN H. GEORGE | 13,090 | 35.2% | 10,996 |
PSC District 4, Dem.
| Candidate | Votes counted | % of vote | Votes behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONICA TRANEL | 25,886 | 76.9% | 0 |
| DANIEL CARLINO | 7,785 | 23.1% | 18,101 |
PSC District 4, GOP
| Candidate | Votes counted | % of vote | Votes behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER FIELDER | 16,664 | 44.9% | 0 |
| WILL DESCHAMPS | 13,039 | 35.1% | 3,625 |
| CHAMP EDMUNDS | 7,408 | 20.0% | 9,256 |
Media coverage
Stories tracked in our database of 2020 election coverage.
Yellowstone Public Radio
How Montana Public Service Commission Election Results Could Affect Energy In The State
10/30/2020
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
PSC candidates Brown, Woods split on approach
10/18/2020
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Residency complaint dismissed against PSC candidate
10/13/2020
UM Community News Service
MSU professor faces attorney in southwestern PSC contest
10/08/2020
Missoula Current
‘Facts, science and the law:’ Tranel takes aim at the PSC, Montana’s energy future
09/14/2020
Montana Public Radio
O’Donnell, Fielder, Brown, Tranel Win Contested PSC Races
06/03/2020
Billings Gazette
Three Republicans battle in primary for southeast Montana’s PSC seat
05/05/2020
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.