Mary Ann Dunwell

Mary Ann Dunwell is a Democratic state senator representing Montana Senate District 42, which includes Helena and East Helena in the northeast Helena Valley.

Dunwell is a progressive Democrat with a strong focus on public health, healthcare, mental health services, and social and economic justice. Her policy priorities include non-discrimination and gender equality, equal pay, living wages and worker rights, reproductive rights, climate justice, and fair taxation. She is committed to ensuring that corporations and wealthy individuals contribute their fair share to public revenues.

Political Experience

Dunwell has built an extensive legislative career spanning multiple terms in both chambers of the Montana Legislature. She was first elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 2014, representing House District 84. She served in the House during the 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 sessions before transitioning to the Montana Senate in 2023. She is currently serving her sixth session as a state legislator.

In the Senate, Dunwell holds the position of Vice-chair of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee. She also serves on the Senate Taxation, Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, and Senate Legislative Administration committees.

Notable Achievements

Dunwell has a significant legislative record focused on health and social policy. She played a key role in passing Montana's historic Medicaid Expansion law in 2015 and helped extend it in 2019. She has co-sponsored successful legislation to prosecute child sex abusers and sponsored bills addressing health, mental health, suicide prevention, living wages, affordable housing, fair taxation, climate action, and environmental protections.