Hermes Vector

Politics

Montana House Democrats elect SJ Howell as minority leader

State Rep. SJ Howell of Missoula has been elected minority leader of the Montana House, becoming the first trans/nonbinary party leader in the U.S., according to Rep. Zooey Zephyr.

By Hermes Vector

Checked against 2 sourcesthestar.comctinsider.com

In brief

  • State Rep. SJ Howell of Missoula was elected Montana House minority leader by Democrats.
  • Rep. Zooey Zephyr said Howell is the first trans/nonbinary party leader in the U.S.
  • Zephyr was voted one of three minority whips in the House.
  • Republicans dominate the Montana state Legislature and hold all six statewide offices.

Montana House Democrats elect SJ Howell as minority leader

Leadership election

Democrats in the Montana House have elected State Rep. SJ Howell of Missoula as their minority leader, according to State Rep. Zooey Zephyr, also of Missoula, who posted the news on social media Wednesday. Zephyr wrote, "We have an incredible leadership team, and are ready to get to work for Montana!"

Zephyr said Howell is the first trans/nonbinary party leader in the U.S.

Other leadership posts

Zephyr was voted to be one of three minority whips in the House.

House Republicans elected Katie Zolnikov of Billings as House speaker, Mike Vinton of Billings as speaker pro tem, and Tom Millett of Marion as majority leader.

Background

Howell was a lobbyist and activist for women's and LGBTQ+ issues before their election in 2022 as Montana's first nonbinary legislator. Zephyr, a university program manager, was elected that year as Montana's first openly transgender lawmaker.

Zephyr gained attention in 2023 when other lawmakers barred her from the House floor after she refused to apologize for telling colleagues who supported a ban on gender-affirming care for youths that they would have "blood" on their hands.

Republicans dominate the state Legislature and hold all six statewide offices.

Why it matters

The election gives Montana Democrats a transgender/nonbinary minority leader in a state Legislature where Republicans hold the majority and all statewide offices.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.

Questions readers ask

Who was elected as the Montana House Democrats' minority leader?
State Rep. SJ Howell of Missoula was elected as the minority leader.
Who announced the election results?
State Rep. Zooey Zephyr of Missoula posted the news on social media on Wednesday.
What historic firsts are associated with Howell and Zephyr?
Howell is the first trans/nonbinary party leader in the U.S., while Zephyr is Montana's first openly transgender lawmaker.
Who did House Republicans elect to lead their caucus?
Republicans elected Katie Zolnikov of Billings as House speaker, Mike Vinton of Billings as speaker pro tem, and Tom Millett of Marion as majority leader.
Why does this leadership change matter in Montana?
The election gives Montana Democrats a transgender/nonbinary minority leader in a state Legislature where Republicans hold the majority and all statewide offices.

The day's checked news, by email

One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.

Or follow for the latest news:

How do you feel about this story?

Comments 0

No comments yet. Start the discussion.

More Politics stories