Shannon O’Brien, a former Democratic senator from Missoula and 2024 superintendent of public instruction candidate, will be the next executive board chairperson of the Montana Democratic Party after overwhelmingly winning election Sunday at the state party’s convention in Livingston.

A longtime teacher, education administrator, the education policy adviser for former Gov. Steve Bullock and former dean of Missoula College, O’Brien pledged to bring the party back together. She articulated a vision for a new path forward centered around a strong social safety net, improved health care access for all, and uplifting marginalized communities, labor unions and fair wages.

The party leadership elections took place with a backdrop of resounding losses for Democrats in each of Montana’s statewide

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