State Representative District 45 in Montana State House District 45, Montana

2026 Primary Election

• Denise Baum — Incumbent State Representative in Billings, MT

  Denise Baum is a Montana State Representative for House District 45. She retired after 21 years with the Billings Police Department, serving 15 as a detective specializing in crimes against children. Her firsthand experience with continual funding cuts to the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) motivated her entry into politics. Baum advocates for robust DPHHS funding, mental health services, strong public education, ethical wildlife management, land conservation, and Medicaid expansion. She has served on the Agriculture, Judiciary, Transportation, and Fish, Wildlife, and Parks committees.

• Bryce Walston — Works in mining industry in Billings, MT

  Bryce Walston is a Republican candidate running for the Montana House of Representatives District 45 in the 2026 primary election. A long-time resident of Billings, Montana, he works in the mining industry, a career that has instilled in him values of accountability, strong local jobs, and support for working families. He and his wife are raising their three children in Billings, and as a father of a daughter with special needs, he is particularly focused on strengthening special education programs. Walston advocates for practical leadership, emphasizing government fiscal responsibility, taxpayer respect, individual freedoms, and community building. His policy positions include fully funding law enforcement, supporting an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and smart infrastructure investment, all aimed at protecting the Montana way of life.