Conservation was a winner at the ballot box across Montana this year, with advocates saying many candidates with pro-environment platforms won their elections, including 21 of 25 candidates endorsed by Montana Conservation Voters.
Molly Bell, political director for the group, talked about their priorities.
"We're really excited to work with the incoming council members and people who won reelection on expanding public lands through parks and trails, working on public transportation," Bell outlined.
The group noted voters maintained or expanded pro-conservation majorities in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, Livingston and Whitefish. Bell believes local issues inspired people to get out and vote this year.
Emma Bode, a city commission member-elect in Bozeman, agreed. She ran on an environmental and smart city growth platform, a tricky balancing act for places like Bozeman, now dealing with explosive growth.
"We need to be maintaining what character we can, and growing in ways that fit with the character of our town," Bode urged. "I think that resonated with a lot of people, both in that it's pragmatic and based in kind of the reality that we face."
Bode added she is not surprised candidates focusing on the environment did well this election cycle.
"This is a state where public lands are really cherished, and it doesn't matter what side of the aisle politically you're on," Bode observed. "Having public lands in public hands is a unifying and well-supported perspective."
