The Associated Press has called Austin Knudsen the winner of the race for Montana Attorney General, with 86.1% of the votes counted. Knudsen, the Republican incumbent, has successfully secured a second term in office, defeating Democratic challenger Ben Alke.
Knudsen, who was raised in Culbertson, Montana, has held the position of Attorney General since 2020. Prior to his tenure as the state’s top legal officer, he served as Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. During his time in the Legislature, Knudsen was known for his conservative stances on a range of issues.
Alke, a Helena native, practiced law in Bozeman during his campaign. Throughout his legal career, Alke has focused on constitutional law, representing clients in cases challenging the constitutionality of state laws in Montana.
With Knudsen’s victory, he will continue his work as Attorney General, where he has prioritized issues such as defending state laws, strengthening public safety, and addressing consumer protection. Alke’s campaign, meanwhile, centered on reforming the office and ensuring fairness in the legal system.