Montana Democrats make history by picking two trans lawmakers for top House roles
Montana House Democrats elect two trans lawmakers to top leadership roles. (Getty Images)
Montana House Democrats have elected two trans lawmakers to top leadership roles, choosing Rep. SJ Howell as House minority leader and Rep. Zooey Zephyr as one of three minority whips.
Zephyr announced the results in a Bluesky post, writing that Howell is “the first trans/nonbinary party leader in the nation!” Zephyr added that the leadership team was ready to start working for Montana.
Howell, a transgender and nonbinary Democrat from Missoula, was elected minority leader following a caucus vote. Zephyr, also a Democrat from Missoula, was voted to be one of three minority whips.
Howell’s election makes them the first transgender person to be picked to lead a party caucus in any state legislative chamber, and Zephyr will be the first transgender woman to hold a party whip role in any state legislative chamber.
What did Zooey Zephyr say about the vote?
Zephyr added: “I am proud to announce that I have been elected as a Whip for the Montana House Democrats! We have an incredible leadership team, and are ready to get to work for Montana! Additionally, we are blessed to have Rep. SJ Howell as minority leader, the first trans/nonbinary party leader in the nation!”
The leadership picks land in a state where trans rights have been a high-profile political flashpoint. In 2023, Zephyr gained national attention after she told colleagues who supported a ban on gender-affirming care for youths that they would have “blood” on their hands. She was later barred from the House floor after refusing to apologise.
Howell and Zephyr’s rise comes after a turbulent 2023
Howell was a lobbyist and activist for women’s and LGBTQ+ issues before being elected in 2022 as Montana’s first nonbinary legislator. Zephyr, a university programme manager, was elected that year as Montana’s first openly transgender lawmaker.
Republicans dominate the state Legislature and hold all six statewide offices. House Republicans have elected Katie Zolnikov as House speaker, Mike Vinton as speaker pro tem, and Tom Millett as majority leader.
Zephyr’s elevation is especially notable after 2023, when Montana Republicans were accused of ‘destructive authoritarianism’ for barring the trans lawmaker. After her censure, Zephyr continued representing constituents, including working from a bench outside the House floor.
