State Representative District 46 in Montana State House District 46, Montana

2026 Primary Election

• Denise Joy — Incumbent State Representative in Billings, MT

  Denise Joy is an incumbent Democratic State Representative for Montana's House District 46, representing Central Billings. She assumed office in January 2025, currently serving her first term in the Legislature. Prior to her legislative service, Joy was a member of the Billings City Council, where she became the first member of the Democratic Socialists of America to be elected to public office in Montana. She was initially appointed to her current House seat and later won the 2024 general election after running unopposed in the primary. Her voting record indicates a strong alignment with Democratic party positions. She is currently seeking re-election in the 2026 Democratic primary.

• Erin R Tate — Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Billings, MT

  Erin Tate, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has lived in Billings, Montana, for 10 years, where she founded a private counseling practice dedicated to community mental health. She is running as a Democrat for the Montana House of Representatives, District 46, with the primary election on June 2, 2026. Her platform prioritizes affordability, advocating for livable wages and accessible housing, and sustainability, safeguarding Montana's clean air, water, and public lands. An advocate at heart, Tate pledges accountability in Helena. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, camping, hiking with her wife, reading tabletop games, and spoiling her two cats.

• Kim Welzenbach — Executive Officer/CEO of the Home Builders Association of Billings in Billings, MT

  Kimberly Welzenbach, a Republican, is running for the Montana House of Representatives District 46 in 2026. With over 40 years of executive experience in business development, management, and government relations, she previously served as CEO of the Home Builders Association of Billings. Her campaign, "Montana Begins At Home," focuses on critical issues like the cost of living, taxes, and crime. Welzenbach advocates for regulatory reform to address housing affordability, proposes state-level investments in education, employment, housing, and infrastructure to tackle crime's root causes, and emphasizes cultural investments for quality of life. She also supports congressional term limits.