Don “K” Kaltschmidt, an automobile dealer and prominent Republican figure in the Flathead Valley, has been reelected to a third term as chair of the Montana GOP. The Montana Republican Party voted to retain Kaltschmidt at its Officers’ Convention, while State Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway was also chosen for a third term as vice chair. Under Kaltschmidt’s leadership, the MTGOP has achieved historic success, with Republicans now controlling 8 out of 9 statewide offices in Montana. The party’s strong grassroots movement, exceptional team, and continued momentum are expected to advance conservative values in the upcoming 2024 election cycle.
Kaltschmidt, who owns the Don K dealership in Whitefish, assumed the position of state party chair in 2019, succeeding Debra Lamm. Prior to this role, he served as the finance chair for the Flathead County Republican Central Committee. While Kaltschmidt represents the entire state in his statewide position, his roots and political influence lie heavily within Flathead County, which is known as the reddest county in Montana. Its consistently Republican voting patterns and larger population make it a crucial county in Republican politics.