Montana House Democrats elected Missoula Rep. SJ Howell as minority leader on Wednesday, reportedly making Howell the first “transgender” or “nonbinary” person to lead a state legislative party caucus in the country.
Zephyr, also of Missoula and transgender, was simultaneously chosen as one of three minority whips.
Howell, a biological woman born Sarah J. Howell, was elected in 2022 as Montana’s first “nonbinary” legislator. She previously worked as a lobbyist and activist on women’s and LGBTQ+ issues, and serves as executive director of Montana Women Vote, a nonprofit that works to get low-income women into the political process.
Democrats in Montana just elected State Rep. SJ Howell as the first transgender Minority House Leader. https://t.co/E3y1fBvJvv
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 12, 2026
Howell was the only nominee for the minority leader role among the 44 House Democrats.
Zephyr, a biological man born Zachary Todd Raasch, is Montana’s first openly transgender lawmaker. He was also elected in 2022 and gained national attention in 2023 after House members barred him from the floor for refusing to apologize for telling colleagues supporting a ban on gender-affirming care for minors that they would have “blood” on their hands.
A trans radical partnered with trans extremist and fake news peddler Anthony “Erin” Reed (who has encouraged me to commit s—icide), has won re-election as a state lawmaker in Montana.
“Zooey Zephyr,” the false identity of Zachary Todd Raasch, is a former competitive Super Smash Bros. player. In his time in office, he and Reed have appeared at socialist events, campaigning with the DSA.
“Zephyr” is among several trans activists elected into office as Democrats across the U.S.
Reed’s followers celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I reported in my new book, The Zizians, that Reed’s content was uploaded onto the manifesto site of trans death cult leader Jack “Ziz” LaSota. That cult is linked to at least eight violent deaths.
Reed has a sordid history, including being ordered by a court to not wear his ex-wife’s clothing.
Order my new book, The Zizians: Inside a Trans Death Cult:
https://t.co/ob7bSGrwM6— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) November 6, 2026
Zephyr confirmed the leadership results on Bluesky, writing that the caucus has “an incredible leadership team, and are ready to get to work for Montana!” and calling Howell the first trans/nonbinary party leader in the nation.
Official Montana Legislature accounts listed the full House leadership slate, confirming Howell as minority leader and Zephyr among the minority whips alongside Tom France and Shelly Fyant.
2027 House Leadership:
Speaker of the House – Katie Zolnikov
Speaker Pro Tem – Mike Vinton
Maj. Leader – Tom Millett
Maj. Whips – Shannon Maness, Steve Gist, Braxton Mitchell, Greg Oblander, Tracy Sharp
Min. Leader – SJ Howell
Min. Whips – Tom France, Shelly Fyant, Zooey Zephyr— Montana Legislature (@MTLegislature) November 11, 2026
After the vote, Howell said Democrats would focus on affordability “first, and affordability second, and likely third, and maybe fourth.”
Republicans hold a 56-44 majority in the House and control all statewide offices.
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