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LOUISVILLE, KY.— Montana Sen. Barry Usher has been elected vice president of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan organization serving the nation’s 7,386 state lawmakers and more than 30,000 legislative staff.
Usher will serve one year as vice president, ascend to president-elect the following year, and become NCSL’s president at the 2026 Legislative Summit in Chicago. NCSL’s presidency alternates between parties every year. Utah Senate President Pro Tempore Wayne Harper (R) is NCSL’s newly elected president, and Illinois Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. is the president-elect.
“At NCSL, bipartisanship and collaboration take precedence over everything else. As the next vice president, I will strive to not only encourage collaboration across party lines but also advocate for my fellow legislators on both sides of the aisle,” Usher said.
Usher served in the Montana House of Representatives from 2017 to 2022 and was elected to the Montana Senate in 2022. Currently, he is a majority whip and vice chair of the Judiciary Committee under Senate President Jason Ellsworth. He is an active member with NCSL, serving as a co-chair of the Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Standing Committee.
Montana Senate President Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, congratulated Usher.
"Anyone who knows Senator Usher knows how dedicated he is to NCSL and the success of state legislatures across the country," Ellsworth said. "It's an honor for Montana to have one of our senators taking on this important national role."
Usher served in the U.S. Coast Guard, which inspired him to start his career in law enforcement. He has owned several businesses since his early retirement. He is a strong community leader and serves on the board of several community organizations in the Red Lodge area. He became involved in local and eventually state politics after recognizing issues with access to public areas. During his bicameral service, Usher has worked on legislation related to law enforcement and criminal justice.
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NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system. Stay connected with NCSL on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Press release by Kyle Schmauch, Communications and Policy Manager, Senate Republicans, Montana Legislature
