John Esp
Montana State Senator, District 29 since 2002. Did not run for re-election in 2026; leaves office in January 2027.
- In office
- 24 yrs
- Since 2002
- Bills became law
- 7
- 7 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
- Votes missed
- 1.1%
- Chamber median 0.5%
- With party
- 88%
- On votes splitting the parties
- Last margin
- +10.6
- Won 2022
Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Committees
As of 2026-10.
- Finance and Claims · vice chair
- Long Range Planning Interim Budget Committee · vice chair
- Children, Families, Health and Human Services Interim
- Education and Cultural Resources
- Environmental Quality Council
- Highways and Transportation
- Rules
- Rules
Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Legislation
Civil Procedure · Became law May 2025
Criminal Procedure · Became law May 2025
Civil Procedure · Became law May 2025
Environmental Protection · Became law May 2025
Housing · Became law May 2025
Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET
Voting record
Where Esp sits in the Montana State Senate
Esp is closer to the center than 38% of the chamber's Republicans.
Closest: Forrest Mandeville, Tom McGillvray, Ken Bogner
Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:55 PM ET
With Esp’s party
- Votes with the chamber's Republicans88%
Black tick: the average of Republicans in the Montana State Senate.
Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships
Key votes
Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Esp’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Republicans.
| Date | Bill | Esp | Rep. majority | Dem. majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 2025 | HB 860: Provide for veterinary training loan program | Yes | Yes | Yes | Passed 41–9 |
| Apr 23, 2025 | HB 129: Provide income tax benefit to support emergency response volunteers | No | No | Yes | Passed 28–22 |
| Apr 23, 2025 | HB 853: Revise fees for licensed establishments | No | No | Yes | Passed 29–21 |
Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls
Career
Offices held, and every time Esp was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.
Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
Elections
Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.
| Year | Race | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Montana State Senate, District 30 | Won | R+10.6 |
| 2018 | Montana State Senate, District 30 | Won | R+8.8 |
| 2010 | Montana House of Representatives, District 61 | Won | — |
| 2006 | Montana State Senate, District 31 | Won | R+17.5 |
| 2002 | Montana State Senate, District 13 | Won | R+13.4 |
| 2000 | Montana House of Representatives, District 25 | Won | R+36.1 |
Source: 99chambers results archive
Seats Esp has held
- Montana State Senate, District 30 · since 2018
- Montana House of Representatives, District 61 · 2010–2012
- Montana State Senate, District 31 · since 2006
- Montana State Senate, District 13 · since 2002
- Montana House of Representatives, District 25 · 2000–2002
Source: 99chambers results archive
Who Esp has run against
- Jamie L. Isaly (D) · 2022 general, won
- Dan Vermillion (D) · 2018 general, won
- Clay Scott McDonald (D) · 2006 general, won
- Paul A. Grigsby (D) · 2002 general, won
- Bruce R. Carroll (D) · 2000 general, won
Source: 99chambers results archive
How we know Esp
One person, matched across every source we use.
- Open States ocd-person/a936c9c8-0a8d-4bcf-8da0-1a9b9ac80ab2
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET