Erin Farris-Olsen

Erin Farris-Olsen is the Democratic candidate for Montana State Senate District 41 in the November 3, 2026 general election, facing Libertarian Dru Koester for a seat with no incumbent.[1][3] An attorney and consultant who has worked at the Montana Supreme Court and led nonprofit organizations, she was the Democratic nominee for Montana Supreme Court Clerk of Court in 2024.[1]

Erin Farris-Olsen was born in Portland, Oregon, and, as of 2025, had lived in Helena, Montana, for 23 years.[1] She earned a bachelor’s degree from Carroll College in 2006 and a law degree from the University of Oregon in 2010.[1] Ballotpedia lists her career experience as consultant, attorney, nonprofit leader and small business owner, including work as a law clerk for the Montana Supreme Court, manager of the court’s Self-Help Law Centers, equal justice coordinator for the State Bar of Montana, executive director of the Montana Watershed Coordination Council and regional director for the National Wildlife Federation.[1]

Farris-Olsen advanced from the 2024 Democratic primary for Montana Supreme Court Clerk of Court and lost the general election to incumbent Bowen Greenwood.[1] She defeated Dana Toole in the June 2, 2026, Democratic primary for Senate District 41, 69.7 percent to 30.3 percent.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, Farris-Olsen said her campaign priorities include protecting freedom and privacy and the independence of the courts, public education, public lands, worker rights, affordable housing and child care, and fair tax policy.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.