From BillingsGazette:

In the wake of Nov. 2’s electoral wipeout for Montana Democrats, one has to wonder: Could Democrats be on their way to becoming a permanent minority at the Montana Legislature?

Veteran Democrats in the Treasure State say no, and that this month’s heavy losses were the result of a “perfect storm” of bad political circumstances that doomed Democratic candidates from Pablo to Plentywood.

Two of the state’s top political scientists also say they’re not convinced Montana Republicans have delivered a knockout blow, and that Democrats could very well stage a comeback in legislative races in the near future, if political and economic winds shift.

New legislative districts also will be drawn for the 2014 elections and could help change the parties’ political fortunes.

Yet the current districts are seen as marginally favorable to Democrats — and Democrats have won an outright majority in either the House or Senate only once since 2004.

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