Scenes from Election Night in Helena

CNS photographer JEREK WOLCOTT covered the thrill and agony of election night at Democratic and Republican gatherings in Helena. For a better view of of the photos and capitions, click on the "View All Images" button above.

Democrats Poised to Sweep State Offices

Democrat Steve Bullock won a hard-fought race become Montana's next attorney general. Photo by JEREK WOLCOTT.

With Gov. Brian Schweiter leading the way, Democrats were on the verge early this morning of sweeping all of the state offices on yesterday's ballot.

As expected, U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, a Republican, won their re-elections races easily but races for state offices were harder-fought affairs.

Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Brad Johnson was trailing his Democratic opponent Linda McCulloch in a close race, but other Democrats were winning by convincing margins.

Democrat Steve Bullock defeated Republican Tim Fox in the attorney general's race, which featured some of the most negative TV adds of the campaign.

In the state auditor's race, former legislator Monica Lindeen, a Democrat, held a commanding margin over Republican Duane Grimes, another former legislator.

Democrat Denise Juneau defeated Republican Elaine Sollie Herman in the race for superintendent of public instruction.

In the nonpartisan race for chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court, Attorney General Mike McGrath won a lopsided race against challenger Ron Waterman of Helena.

Montanans also voted on a trio of ballot issues. They approved a renewal of the six-mill property tax levy to fund higher education and voted to expand health care coverage for Montana children under the CHIPs program. They rejected a proposal to allow the state to invest more of its trust fund revenue in the stock market.

Montana Democrats Celebrate Victories

Democrats gathered in Helena react as CNN projects Barack Obama the winner in Tuesday's presidential election. Photo by JEREK WOLCOTT.

Blue Night for Republicans

A lone viewer at Helena's Republican election party watches as Democratic President-elect Barack Obama delivers his acceptance speech. Photo by JEREK WOLCOTT.

Schweitzer Wins a Second Term

Gov. Brian Schweitzer receives a supporter's congratulations in Helena after CNN projected him the winner over over GOP challenger Roy Brown of Billings. Photo by JEREK WOLCOTT

"The Unlikely Candidates": Mike Fellows

This video story was produced for Montana Journal, a production of Radio-TV students at the University of Montana's School of Journalism.

"The Unlikely Candidates": Stan Jones

This video story was produced for Montana Journal, a production of Radio-TV students at the University of Montana's School of Journalism.

"The Unlikely Candidates": Donald Eisenmenger

This video story was produced for Montana Journal, a production of Radio-TV students at the University of Montana's School of Journalism.