b'2024 State ReportMONTANAPetroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association ReportGreetings from MontanaIt would be a lieto say that November hasreviews. It has been a slow roll-out and we expect offered a much awaited reprieve from the endlessa few more changes to address early concerns; if political ads. I never expected to be so glad to seeanyone is interested in a quick tutorial, please reach commercials again. Montana is once again in theout. My early impression is that up-front it seems record books for the most campaign spending inmore user friendly but may have lost some search the history of America. Ever. The hotly contendedand tracking features.Brad LongcakeSenate seat resulted in nearly $600 per person inThis month has been busy with federal/state/and MPMCSA campaign spending.local meetings. I attended the annual EMA/NACS Executive Director Montana voted for Republican candidate DonaldShow in Las Vegas in October. I enjoyed the time Trump and so did the country with 73,597,947 voteswith our colleagues from across the country as well (51%) and 295 electoral votes, as of date of thisas some carved out time just for our Montana mem-article. As we know, you need 270 electoralbers. The show was amazing as always and it will votes to win the President of the Unitednever fail to impress me just how big it is. States and Kamala Harris fell short with 226We had our fall regional WPMA meeting inelectoral votes and 69,277,754 votes (47.7%).Coeur d Alene in October, and as always Montana States that have not been called yet are was well represented. We discussed a variety of Nevada, and Arizona, but as of this article,topics and were briefed on all the challenges that both states look to be leaning Trump. If he takesour member states will face during the upcoming these two additional states, he will pick up ansessions. After hearing all the other states legisla-additional 6 electoral votes from Nevada and 11tive challenges, I am thankful to be representing additional votes from Arizona for a total of 312Montana and the great group of marketers, associate electoral votes. members, and other industry stakeholders. After the election, Montana is a solid red state.As we prepare for the upcoming legislative session Our Congressional delegation, all statewide officesin Montana, we continue to work with our colleagues and the majority of the state legislature are underat DEQ, MDT, and several other association partners Republican control. Senator Tester was not success- to find solutions to our many collective challenges.ful in his bid for his 4th term representing Montana in the United States Senate. We will instead sendThank you to our members, associate members, and political newcomer Tim Sheehy to serve his firstall of our trade partners. We wouldnt be as success-ever elected position. Congressman Ryan Zinkeful as we are without you and your support. As we will serve a second term representing the westernmove into the holiday season to spend time with side of Montana and Troy Downing will transitionfamily and friends, I want everyone to take a mo-from State Auditor to serve eastern Montana in thement and reflect on all the great accomplishments U.S. House of Representatives. The make-up ofthat each and everyone of you have had this year. the state legislature will shift from the RepublicanOur industry is strong, but with everyones help the super-majority of 2023 to a more moderate balance.MPMCSA is stronger. Thank you for all that you Thirty-two of the 50 Senate seats will be red as willdo, and I look forward to a fantastic 2025.59 of the 100 seats in the House. The 2025 biannual Montana Legislature is quicklyBrad Longcake approaching.There has been a major upgrade to theExecutive Director MPMCSAbill tracking system that has been met with mixedS40 www.wpma.com /Winter 2024'