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2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana

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2026 United House of Representatives elections in Montana
← 2024
November 3, 2026
2028 →
Both Montana seats to the United States House of Representatives
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 2 0

The 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of Montana, one from each of the state's congressional districts. The elections will coincide with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. The primary elections took place on June 2, 2026.[1]

District 1

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2026 Montana's 1st congressional district election
← 2024
2028 →
 
Nominee Aaron Flint Sam Forstag
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent U.S. Representative

Ryan Zinke
Republican


The 1st district is based in western Montana, including Missoula, Bozeman, Butte, and Kalispell. The incumbent is Republican Ryan Zinke, who was re-elected with 52.3% of the vote in 2024.[2] On March 2, 2026, Zinke announced that he would retire once his present term ends.[3]

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee

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Eliminated in primary
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Withdrawn
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Declined
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Endorsements

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Aaron Flint
Executive branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Organizations
Ryan Zinke (withdrawn)
Executive branch officials

Fundraising

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Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Aaron Flint (R) $677,089 $292,415 $384,673
Christi Jacobson (R) $447,271 $352,505 $94,766
Albert Olszewski (R) $411,338 $317,276 $104,010
Source: Federal Election Commission[13]

Results

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Primary results by county:
  Flint
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Jacobsen
  •   40–50%
Republican primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Aaron Flint 41,170 50.1
Republican Christi Jacobsen 18,877 23.0
Republican Al Olszewski 16,686 20.3
Republican Ray Curtis 5,479 6.7
Total votes 82,212 100.0

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Eliminated in primary
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Declined
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Endorsements

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Ryan Busse
U.S. senators
Statewide officials
State Legislators
  • Susan Webber, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present) (co-endorsement with Forstag and Cleveland)[21]
Organizations
Russell Cleveland
State legislators
  • Susan Webber, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present) (co-endorsement with Busse and Forstag)[21][23]
Labor unions
Individuals
Organizations
Sam Forstag
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
State legislators
  • Kim Abbott, former minority leader of the Montana House (2021-2025) from the 83rd district (2017–present)[20]
  • Geraldine Custer, former state representative from the 39th district (2015–2023) (Republican)[20]
  • Susan Webber, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present) (co-endorsement with Busse and Cleveland)[21]
Labor unions
Organizations
Matt Rains
State legislators
  • Jill Cohenour, state representative from the 83th district (2023–present; 2003–2011)[21]
  • Paul Tuss, state representative from the 27th district (2023-present)[21]

Fundraising

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Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Ryan Busse (D) $702,447 $551,915 $150,531
Russell Cleveland (D) $418,450 $363,895 $54,554
Samuel Forstag (D) $694,569 $533,132 $161,437
Matt Rains (D) $265,119 $230,813 $34,305
Source: Federal Election Commission[13]

Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin
of error		 Ryan
Busse		 Russell
Cleveland		 Sam
Forstag		 Matt
Rains		 Undecided
Tulchin Research (D)[35][A] March 28 – April 1, 2026 400 (LV) – 35% 20% 13% 5% 27%

Results

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Primary results by county:
  Forstag
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  Busse
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  Cleveland
  •   30–40%
  •   50–60%
Democratic primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Forstag 26,276 37.3
Democratic Ryan Busse 23,196 33.1
Democratic Russell Cleveland 15,238 21.7
Democratic Matt Rains 5,518 7.9
Total votes 70,228 100.0

Libertarian primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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Results

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Libertarian primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian Nick Sheedy 1,202 100.0
Total votes 1,202 100.0

Independents

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Candidates

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Declared
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  • Kimberly Persico (Independent)[36]

General election

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Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
Decision Desk HQ[37] Lean R July 14, 2026
The Cook Political Report[38] Likely R June 13, 2025
Inside Elections[39] Likely R March 12, 2026
Sabato's Crystal Ball[40] Likely R June 13, 2025
Race to the WH[41] Tilt R June 8, 2026

Fundraising

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Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Aaron Flint (R) $1,303,394 $801,193 $502,201
Sam Forstag (D) $1,382,873 $832,794 $550,079
Source: Federal Election Commission[13]

Post-primary endorsements

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Sam Forstag (D)
U.S. senators
Organizations

Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin
of error		 Aaron
Flint (R)		 Sam
Forstag (D)		 Nick
Sheedy (L)		 Undecided
Impact Research (D)[44][B] June 22–25, 2026 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 44% 44% 5% 7%
Upswing Research (D)[45][C] April 30 – May 5, 2026 401 (LV) ± 4.9% 48% 43% – 9%
Hypothetical polling
Aaron Flint vs. Matt Rains
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin
of error		 Aaron
Flint (R)		 Matt
Rains (D)		 Undecided
Upswing Research (D)[45][C] April 30 – May 5, 2026 401 (LV) ± 4.9% 47% 43% 10%
Ryan Zinke vs. Ryan Busse
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin
of error		 Ryan
Zinke (R)		 Ryan
Busse (D)		 Undecided
Peak Insights (R)[46][D] January 12–15, 2026 400 (LV) ± 5.0% 47% 41% 12%
Tulchin Research (D)[47] November 22–25, 2025 424 (LV) ± 5.0% 43% 47% 10%
Ryan Zinke vs. Sam Forstag
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin
of error		 Ryan
Zinke (R)		 Sam
Forstag (D)		 Undecided
Peak Insights (R)[46][D] January 12–15, 2026 400 (LV) ± 5.0% 48% 38% 14%

Results

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2026 Montana's 1st congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Aaron Flint
Democratic Sam Forstag
Total votes

District 2

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2026 Montana's 2nd congressional district election
← 2024
2028 →
 
Nominee Troy Downing Brian Miller Michael Eisenhauer
Party Republican Democratic Independent
Incumbent U.S. Representative

Troy Downing
Republican


The 2nd district is based in eastern Montana, including Billings, Great Falls, and Helena. The incumbent is Republican Troy Downing, who was elected with 65.7% of the vote in 2024.[2]

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
[edit]

Endorsements

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Troy Downing
Executive branch officials
Organizations

Fundraising

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Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Troy Downing (R) $1,794,757 $1,512,717 $393,570
Source: Federal Election Commission[50]

Results

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Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Troy Downing (incumbent) 82,088 100.0
Total votes 82,088 100.0

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Brian Miller, attorney[48]
Eliminated in primary
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Fundraising

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Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Sam Lux (D) $9,611 $8,845 $943
Brian Miller (D) $15,220 $9,390 $1,821
Source: Federal Election Commission[50]

Results

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Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Miller 24,033 55.7
Democratic Sam Lux 11,759 27.2
Democratic Jonathan Windy Boy 7,484 17.2
Total votes 43,276 100.0

Libertarian primary

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Candidates

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Nominee
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  • Patrick McCracken[52]

Results

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Libertarian primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian Patrick McCracken 1,846 100.0
Total votes 1,846 100.0

Independents

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Candidates

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Declared
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  • Michael Eisenhauer, cardiologist[53]

Fundraising

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Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Michael Eisenhauer (I) $259,927 $124,165 $135,762
Source: Federal Election Commission[50]

General election

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Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
Decision Desk HQ[37] Safe R July 14, 2026
The Cook Political Report[38] Solid R June 13, 2025
Inside Elections[39] Solid R June 13, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball[40] Safe R June 13, 2025
Race to the WH[41] Safe R September 26, 2025

Fundraising

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Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Troy Downing (R) $2,127,927 $1,588,993 $650,464
Brian Miller (D) $19,174 $14,573 $3,166
Michael Eisenhauer (I) $296,253 $164,060 $140,122
Source: Federal Election Commission[54]

Results

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2026 Montana's 2nd congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Troy Downing (incumbent)
Democratic Brian Miller
Independent Michael Eisenhauer
Total votes

See also

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Notes

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

Partisan clients

  1. ↑ Poll sponsored by Busse's campaign
  2. ↑ Poll sponsored by Forstag's campaign
  3. 1 2 Poll sponsored by 314 Action
  4. 1 2 Poll conducted by Leadership in Action PAC, which supports Zinke

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". NCSL. May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "2024 House Vote Tracker". Cook Political Report. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  3. ↑ Anchor, Bradley Warren NonStop Local (March 2, 2026). "Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke to retire, will not seek reelection". NonStop Local Billings. Congressman Ryan Zinke will not seek reelection for a fourth term in Montana's first Congressional District. The Republican who has had a storied career will make it official Monday as the filing deadline looms.
  4. ↑ Warren, Bradley (March 2, 2026). "Conservative radio host Aaron Flint to run for Congress in Montana's first district". NonStop Local Montana. MontanaRightNow.com.
  5. 1 2 "FEDERAL PRIMARY 2026 Candidate List". candidatefiling.mt.gov. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  6. ↑ Johnson, Brady (March 3, 2026). "Christi Jacobsen enters Montana Western Congressional District race". Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Drew, Micah (March 2, 2026). "Montana GOP candidates jump into race for western House district". Daily Montanan. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Warren, Bradley (March 2, 2026). "Who's running for Congress in Montana? Here is what we know:". NonStop Local Montana. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Eavis, Victoria (March 3, 2026). "Trump endorses Aaron Flint in Montana's western congressional primary race". The Independent Record. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "NRCC Announces Addition of 8 Candidates to 'MAGA Majority' Program as GOP Expands 2026 Map". April 27, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Eichholz, Jack (January 7, 2026). "2026 Endorsement Tracker". VoteHub. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Drew, Micah (November 6, 2025). "Trump endorses Reps. Zinke, Downing for re-election". Daily Montanan. Missoula Current. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 "2026 Election United States House - Montana 1st". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Montana U.S. House Primary Election Live Results 2026". AP News. June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  15. ↑ Woodall, Hunter (January 5, 2026). "Democrats are talking about a midterm blue wave. A Montana smokejumper could help make it a reality". CBS News. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  16. ↑ Drew, Micah (January 8, 2026). "Ryan Busse joins race to challenge Zinke for House seat". Daily Montanan. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  17. ↑ Brooks, Gary (May 6, 2025). "Letter to the editor: Russell Cleveland running for US House". Longview News-Journal. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  18. ↑ Eavis, Victoria (October 23, 2025). "Candidate field for U.S. House is shaping up as Democrat Matt Rains announces candidacy". The Independent Record. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  19. ↑ vlogbrothers (March 10, 2026). Is Hank Green Running for Congress?. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via YouTube.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kimbel-Sannit, Arren (April 27, 2026). "Four brands of Democrat make their case in Montana's western congressional primary". Montana Free Press. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thomas, Mariah (January 6, 2026). "Forstag Jumps into Democratic Primary for Western House District". Flathead Beacon. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  22. ↑ "LCV Action Fund Announces Endorsement for Ryan Busse for U.S. House in Montana's First District". LCV. May 12, 2026. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Ryan Busse Endorsements". Busseformontana.com. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Union Of American Physicians and Dentists Endorses Russell Cleveland for Montana's First Congressional District". UAPD. April 13, 2026. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  25. ↑ Eavis, Victoria (January 5, 2026). "Missoula Democratic smokejumper enters U.S. House race to unseat Rep. Zinke". Billings Gazette. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  26. 1 2 3 "Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC Endorses Sam Forstag for MT-01". February 26, 2026. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Sam Forstag Launches Congressional Bid - National Smokejumper Association". smokejumpers.com. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  28. ↑ Ambarian, Jonathon (April 29, 2026). "Primary 2026: Four Democratic candidates in race for western U.S. House nomination". KTVH. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  29. ↑ Delaney, Arthur (June 3, 2026). "Sam Forstag, Smokejumper, Wins Montana Democratic Primary". HuffPost. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Smokejumper and Union Leader Sam Forstag for U.S. Representative". AFGE. May 12, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Endorsements". Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  32. ↑ "NFFE Endorses Sam Forstag for Montana's First Congressional District". National Federation of Federal Employees. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  33. ↑ Bailey, Ernest (February 26, 2026). "Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC Endorses Sam Forstag for MT-01". Progressive Caucus. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Sam Forstag for Congress (MT-01)". Our Revolution. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  35. ↑ Busse, Ryan [@ryandbusse] (April 6, 2026). "Let's go win this thing!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  36. ↑ Wooden, Annie (February 12, 2026). "Hot Springs woman running for Congress". Sanders County Ledger. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  37. 1 2 "2026 House Ratings". Decision Desk HQ. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  38. 1 2 "2026 CPR House Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  39. 1 2 "2026 House Ratings". Inside Elections.
  40. 1 2 "2026 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  41. 1 2 "The 2026 House Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Tester endorses Forstag in Montana U.S. House race". KECI. NBC Montana. June 11, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  43. ↑ "End Citizens United Endorses Sam Forstag in Montana's 1st Congressional District". June 5, 2026.
  44. ↑ Rubashkin, Jacob [@JacobRubashkin] (June 29, 2026). "Polling first reported..." (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  45. 1 2 Svitek, Patrick [@PatrickSvitek] (May 13, 2026). "#MT01 Democratic primary: A memo on polling done for 314 Action, which hasn't endorsed, makes an electability pitch for Matt Rains over Sam Forstag" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  46. 1 2 Drew, Micah (January 23, 2026). "Poll shows Zinke up on Busse, Forstag". Daily Montanan. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  47. ↑ Lutey, Tom (December 18, 2025). "The Poll...err Express". Montana Free Press. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  48. 1 2 3 Ambarian, Jonathon (November 12, 2025). "Montana's Eastern Congressional District: Downing running, two Democrats file". KTVH-DT. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Thank You for Supporting Pro-Israel Candidates". Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  50. 1 2 3 "2026 Election United States House - Montana 2nd". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  51. ↑ Lloyd, Zeke (May 6, 2026). "Windy Boy restarts campaign for Montana's eastern U.S. House seat". Montana Free Press. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  52. ↑ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1951987". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  53. ↑ Ambarian, Jonathon (January 2, 2026). "How 2026 is shaping up in Montana politics". KXLF. Retrieved January 2, 2026. Michael Eisenhauer, a cardiologist from Great Falls, has announced plans to run for the seat as an independent.
  54. ↑ "2026 Election United States House - Montana". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
[edit]
Official campaign websites for 1st district candidates
Official campaign websites for 2nd district candidates
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