Former legislator Jeff Pattison won the Republican primary for a Public Service Commission seat Tuesday, defeating state Sen. Jeremy Trebas by a margin that left little ambiguity about voter preference. Pattison pulled 22,015 votes — 67 percent of the total — compared to Trebas' 11,043.

The Public Service Commission regulates Montana's investor-owned utilities, including NorthWestern Energy, which serves most of Helena. Whoever sits on the PSC has direct influence over electricity and natural gas rates, meaning the race is one of the more consequential down-ballot contests for Helena households.

Pattison said after the results came in that he won by showing up, listening, and being transparent with voters — a straightforward campaign message in a race where his opponent, Trebas, had a higher public profile as a sitting state senator. Pattison's path to the general election will now be determined by whoever emerges from the Democratic primary for the same seat.