Public Service Commission District 1: 2026 Candidates & Ballot

Republican Jeff Pattison and Democrat Angeline Cheek are running for the open Public Service Commission District 1 seat; sitting Commissioner Randy Pinocci did not file for reelection, per the Montana Secretary of State's certified candidate list.

Angeline Cheek

Democratic

Biography

Angeline Cheek resides on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and has spent about eighteen years as an advocate for Indigenous issues, per the Northern Plains Independent. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, is pursuing a master's degree in psychology, and has nearly completed a bachelor's degree in elementary education, per the same source. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 20, 2026.

Jeff Pattison

Republican

Biography

Jeff Pattison is a farmer and rancher from Valley County who served two terms in the Montana House of Representatives, in 2001 and 2003, per KTVH. He has since served on several boards and organizations related to Montana agriculture, energy, and community development, per his campaign site.

Top Priorities

Wants to fight unnecessary utility rate hikes and push for fair cost allocation so rural and fixed income families are not burdened by volatile energy prices
Supports modernizing transmission lines, expanding natural gas access, and improving rural broadband reliability
Wants open PSC hearings, clear utility billing, and a balanced energy mix of coal, natural gas, hydro, renewables, and new technology

Per the campaign site.

Per the candidate campaign site.

Campaign site

Questions about this race

Who is running for Public Service Commission District 1 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Public Service Commission District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Angeline Cheek and Jeff Pattison. Candidate information follows official Hill County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Public Service Commission District 1 election in Montana?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Montana are on the Montana election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Hill County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.