State Representative District 83 in Montana State House District 83, Montana

2026 Primary Election

• Joe Cohenour — Retired state trooper in Helena, MT

  Joe Cohenour, a Democratic candidate for Montana House District 83, brings a unique perspective from his 22-year career as a Montana state trooper, where he taught officers and served as an expert witness. He has also dedicated 15 years to serving on two Helena school boards and is active in public sector unions, including the Montana Federation of Public Employees, where he is a retiree representative. Cohenour is committed to workers' rights and addressing issues facing public employees, with a strong focus on education. He believes decisions should prioritize student success for every student. His extensive background in law enforcement and education informs his campaign.

• Aaron J Leas — Candidate for State Representative in East Helena, MT

  Aaron J. Leas is a Republican candidate running for Montana House of Representatives District 83, appearing on the ballot for the primary election on June 2, 2026. His campaign emphasizes principled, grassroots leadership for East Helena. Past reporting indicates Leas has been an elected Republican official and has a history of threatening violence against LGBTQ individuals, notably targeting a transgender state legislator in 2022. He has not yet completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey to detail his specific policy stances for this election.