1986Final results
1986 election for Montana's 2nd District
U.S. House · Montana
Ronald Marlenee (R) won with 53.5% of the vote, defeating Buck O'Brien (D) by 6.9 points.
Ronald MarleneeRepublican · winner
53.5%84,548
Buck O'BrienDemocrat
46.5%73,583
158,131 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1986
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Buck O'BrienRonald Marlenee
$221.1K
Raised by the campaign
$265.9K
$223.2K
Spent by the campaign
$251.2K
$450
Cash on hand
$51.6K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986