1988Final results
1988 election for Montana's 2nd District
U.S. House · Montana
Ronald Marlenee (R) won with 55.5% of the vote, defeating Buck O'Brien (D) by 11.0 points.
Ronald MarleneeRepublican · winner
55.5%97,465
Buck O'BrienDemocrat
44.5%78,069
175,534 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 1988
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
$396.4K
Raised by the campaign
$416K
$394.1K
Spent by the campaign
$380.9K
$2.7K
Cash on hand
$86.7K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988