Shaylee Ragar

Joe Lamson, a Democrat on Montana's districting commission, is particularly fond of this map showing the state's legislative districts as drawn in the early 2000s. Lamson says Montana historian Harry Fritz called it, "The best map drawn in Montana since Lewis and Clark came through."

Montana GOP Pushes For More Redistricting Power After State Gains Congressional Seat

Shaylee Ragar

For the first time in decades, Montana will have more than one congressional district. After the news came, GOP lawmakers rushed a bill to set new rules for the state's districting commission.

Colorado state Rep. Julie McCluskie, a Democrat, is surrounded by protective plastic barriers in the House chambers at the Colorado State Capitol during an emergency legislative session on November 30. Lawmakers there are planning to move their 2021 session back by at least a month.

Elections

Despite COVID, Thousands Of Lawmakers Plan To Gather In State Capitols Next Month

Bente Birkeland

Delaying session or meeting remotely aren't options that have necessarily appealed to Republican state lawmakers who, for the most part, aren't shy about gathering in large numbers in 2021.

Greg Gianforte, now Montana's Republican governor-elect, and President Donald Trump shake hands on stage during a campaign rally on Oct. 18, 2018, in Missoula, Mont.

Elections

The GOP Will Control Montana's State Government For The 1st Time In 16 Years

Shaylee Ragar

Democratic governors in Montana have kept the Republican-led legislature from passing the most conservative agenda items. With a Republican at the helm in 2021, the GOP won't have the same roadblocks.

Elections

Montana Sees One Of The Most Competitive Gubernatorial Races In The Country

Shaylee Ragar

Trump carried Montana by 20 points in 2016. But the state is full of split-ticket voters and has had a Democratic governor for 16 years. This year the seat is open, and the race is close.

Nicole Galloway is Missouri's state auditor and Democratic candidate for governor, challenging Republican Gov. Mike Parson, primarily on his coronavirus record. Here Galloway addresses the media while Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas looks on during a news conference Oct. 12, in Kansas City, Mo.

National News

In 2020, Gubernatorial Elections Are All About COVID-19

Jeff Tiberii

The races for governor in Missouri and North Carolina may tell us if the coronavirus can make or break a state leader. Meanwhile, political strategy in Montana has tempered talk of COVID-19.