1996 Montana gubernatorial election

The 1996 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Governor of Montana Marc Racicot, who was first elected in 1992, ran for re-election. After winning the Republican primary against a conservative activist, he moved on to the general election, where he was set to face Chet Blaylock, a former State Senator and the Democratic nominee. However, on October 23, 1996, Blaylock died of a heart attack, and the Montana Democratic Party selected his running mate, State Senator Judy Jacobson, to replace him, and she therefore became both the gubernatorial nominee and the lieutenant gubernatorial nominee. Ultimately, Racicot defeated Jacobson in a landslide to win re-election to his second and final term as governor. As of 2024, this is the last time that the winning gubernatorial nominee carried all counties in Montana. This election was the only time since 1956 that an incumbent Republican Governor of Montana was re-elected or won re-election. As of 2024, this is the last time that an incumbent Republican Governor of Montana was re-elected or won re-election.

Candidates

 * Chet Blaylock, former State Senator
 * Bob Kelleher, perennial candidate

Results
Note: Following Blaylock's death, Judy Jacobson, his running mate, was selected to replace him on the ballot as the Democratic nominee.

Candidates

 * Marc Racicot, incumbent Governor of Montana
 * Rob Natelson, conservative activist and constitutional law professor