RepublicanIn office since Nov 2022

Daniel Zolnikov

Montana State Senator, District 22 since 2022. Ran in 6 elections between 2012 and 2022, winning 6. Re-elected in 2026. Next on the ballot in 2030.

Montana State Senator, District 22Born 1987

Official website Wikipedia

In office: 3 yrs; Since 2022
Bills became law: 17; 38 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
Votes missed: 1.0%; Chamber median 0.5%
With party: 89%; On votes splitting the parties
Last margin: +31.5; Won 2022
Next election: 2030; Nov 5, 2030

Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 1:52 PM ET

Committees

As of 2026-10.

Energy and Technology Interim · chair
Energy, Technology and Federal Relations · chair
Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
Committee on Committees
Information Technology Planning Council
Legislative Administration
Legislative Consumer
Local Government Interim
Natural Resources
Natural Resources

Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET

Legislation

2025–2026 session · 38 sponsored · 17 became law

BillIntroCmteSenateHouseLaw

SB 301 Generally revise utility lines and facilities laws
Energy · Became law May 2025

SB 553 Generally revise state policy laws
Revenue, State · Became law May 2025

SB 316 Revising disability retirement provisions for MPORS and FURS
Fires and Fire Protection · Became law May 2025

SB 409 Generally revise laws related to the department of commerce
Economic Development · Became law May 2025

SB 297 Generally revise privacy laws
Communications · Became law May 2025

Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET

Voting record

2025–2026 session · placement by roll-call votes

Where Zolnikov sits in the Montana State Senate

Zolnikov is closer to the center than 56% of the chamber's Republicans.

Closest: Sue Vinton, Greg Hertz, Wylie Galt

Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:55 PM ET

With Zolnikov’s party

Votes with the chamber's Republicans89%

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: Zolnikov’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Republicans.

Date	Bill	Zolnikov	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 Zolnikov was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.

201220142016201820202022202420262028Montana House of Representatives, District 47 Montana House of Representatives, District 45 Montana State Senate, District 22

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	Seat	+/−
2026	Montana State Senate, District 22	Won	—	R+31.5	—
2022	Montana State Senate, District 22	Won	R+31.5	R+28.8	+2.7
2018	Montana House of Representatives, District 45	Won	R+33.7	R+31.7	+2.0
2016	Montana House of Representatives, District 45	Won	R+38.9	R+31.7	+7.2
2014	Montana House of Representatives, District 45	Won	R+44.0	—	—
2014	Montana House of Representatives, District 45 (primary)	Won	—	—	—
2012	Montana House of Representatives, District 47	Won	R+14.6	—	—