HELENA — Montana House Republicans elected Rep. Katie Zolnikov of Billings as their choice for speaker, marking the first time a woman has been selected to lead the Montana House of Representatives.
Zolnikov, 29, defeated incumbent Speaker Brandon Ler of Savage during a Republican caucus vote November 11. Republicans hold a 56-44 majority in the House following the November elections. The full chamber is expected to formally select its speaker when lawmakers convene in January 2027.
Zolnikov, who previously served as speaker pro tempore, entered the House in 2020 after being appointed to succeed her husband, Daniel Zolnikov. A small-business owner and mother of two, she is entering her fourth and final House term under Montana’s term limits.
Her selection establishes a new milestone for female leadership in Montana government. It also comes as Republican lawmakers debate priorities that include taxes, state spending, housing costs and education funding.
House Republicans also selected Rep. Mike Vinton of Billings as speaker pro tempore and Rep. Tom Millett of Marion as majority leader. House Democrats selected Rep. SJ Howell of Missoula as minority leader.
The speaker controls important elements of the legislative process, including committee assignments and the scheduling of House business. Zolnikov will assume those responsibilities at the beginning of the 2027 legislative session if confirmed by the full House.
