2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana

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.

District 1

2026 Montana's 1st congressional district election
← 2024
2028 →
 
Nominee Aaron Flint Sam Forstag Nick Sheedy
Party Republican Democratic Libertarian
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. On March 2, 2026, Zinke announced that he would retire once his present term ends.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

  • Aaron Flint, veteran and radio host
Eliminated in primary
Withdrawn
  • Ryan Zinke, incumbent U.S. representative (endorsed Flint)
Declined

Endorsements

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Ryan Zinke (withdrawn)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

Fundraising

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

Results

Primary results by county:
  Flint
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Jacobsen
  •   40–50%
Republican primary results
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

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Declined

Endorsements

Ryan Busse
U.S. senators
Statewide officials
State Legislators
Organizations
Russell Cleveland
State legislators
Labor unions
Individuals
Organizations
Sam Forstag
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Labor unions
Organizations
Matt Rains
State legislators

Fundraising

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

Polling

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

Results

Primary results by county:
  Forstag
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  Busse
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  Cleveland
  •   30–40%
  •   50–60%
Democratic primary results
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

Candidates

Nominee
  • Nick Sheedy, genealogist and research historian

Results

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

Independents

Candidates

Declared
  • Kimberly Persico (Independent)

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Decision Desk HQ Lean R July 14, 2026
The Cook Political Report Tossup October 16, 2026
Inside Elections Tilt R October 15, 2026
Sabato's Crystal Ball Lean R September 29, 2026

Post-primary endorsements

Sam Forstag (D)
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of October 14, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Aaron Flint (R) $2,856,139 $2,447,986 $408,153
Sam Forstag (D) $4,312,110 $3,585,985 $726,126
Source: Federal Election Commission

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Aaron
Flint (R)		 Sam
Forstag (D)		 Nick
Sheedy (L)		 Undecided
Emerson College October 12–14, 2026 329 (LV) – 46% 50% 4%
Public Policy Polling (D) October 12–14, 2026 541 (LV) – 45% 48% – 7%
American Pulse September 19–24, 2026 314 (LV) — 46% 45% 5% 3%
Impact Research (D) September 20–23, 2026 500 (LV) ± 3.4% 44% 47% 2% 7%
Public Policy Polling (D) September 9–10, 2026 536 (RV) ± 4.2% 43% 45% – 12%
Rutgers University Eagleton Institute of Politics August 27 – September 7, 2026 375 (RV) ± 6.0% 42% 41% 5% 11%
Impact Research (D) June 22–25, 2026 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 44% 44% 5% 7%
Upswing Research (D) 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		 Margin
of error		 Aaron
Flint (R)		 Matt
Rains (D)		 Undecided
Upswing Research (D) April 30 – May 5, 2026 401 (LV) ± 4.9% 47% 43% 10%
Ryan Zinke vs. Ryan Busse
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Ryan
Zinke (R)		 Ryan
Busse (D)		 Undecided
Peak Insights (R) January 12–15, 2026 400 (LV) ± 5.0% 47% 41% 12%
Tulchin Research (D) November 22–25, 2025 424 (LV) ± 5.0% 43% 47% 10%
Ryan Zinke vs. Sam Forstag
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Ryan
Zinke (R)		 Sam
Forstag (D)		 Undecided
Peak Insights (R) January 12–15, 2026 400 (LV) ± 5.0% 48% 38% 14%

Generic Republican vs. generic Democrat

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Generic
Republican		 Generic
Democrat		 Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D) September 9–10, 2026 536 (RV) ± 4.2% 48% 44% 12%

Results

2026 Montana's 1st congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Aaron Flint
Democratic Sam Forstag
Libertarian Nick Sheedy
Independent Kimberly Persico
Total votes

District 2

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.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Endorsements

Troy Downing
Executive branch officials
Organizations

Fundraising

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

Results

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Brian Miller, attorney
Eliminated in primary

Fundraising

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

Results

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

Candidates

Nominee
  • Patrick McCracken

Results

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

Independents

Candidates

Declared
  • Michael Eisenhauer, cardiologist

Fundraising

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

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Decision Desk HQ Safe R July 14, 2026
The Cook Political Report Solid R June 13, 2025
Inside Elections Solid R June 13, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball Safe R June 13, 2025

Post-primary endorsements

Troy Downing (R)
Organizations
Michael Eisenhauer (I)
U.S. senators
Labor unions
Political parties

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Troy Downing (R) $2,697,257 $1,967,800 $840,987
Brian Miller (D) $30,654 $27,089 $2,129
Michael Eisenhauer (I) $347,728 $322,017 $25,711
Source: Federal Election Commission

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Troy
Downing (R)		 Brian
Miller (D)		 Michael
Eisenhauer (I)		 Other Undecided
Rutgers University Eagleton Institute of Politics August 27 – September 7, 2026 470 (RV) ± 5.8% 48% 26% 9% 5% 12%

Results

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

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ "Someone else" with 9%; "Would not vote" with 2%
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ Patrick McCracken (L) with 5%

Partisan clients

  1. ↑ Poll sponsored by Busse's campaign
  2. ↑ Poll sponsored by Poll Vault
  3. ↑ Poll sponsored by the House Majority PAC, which is focused on electing Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives
  4. ↑ Poll sponsored by the NonStop Local
  5. 1 2 Poll sponsored by Forstag's campaign
  6. 1 2 Poll sponsored by The Bench, which supports Forstag
  7. 1 2 Poll sponsored by the Montana Free Press
  8. 1 2 Poll sponsored by 314 Action
  9. 1 2 Poll conducted by Leadership in Action PAC, which supports Zinke

References

  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. ↑ "U.S. Chamber Endorses Candidate Aaron Flint for Montana's First Congressional District". May 28, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  13. 1 2 Drew, Micah (November 6, 2025). "Trump endorses Reps. Zinke, Downing for re-election". Daily Montanan. Missoula Current. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 "2026 Election United States House - Montana 1st". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved October 17, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Montana U.S. House Primary Election Live Results 2026". AP News. June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  16. ↑ 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.
  17. ↑ Drew, Micah (January 8, 2026). "Ryan Busse joins race to challenge Zinke for House seat". Daily Montanan. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  18. ↑ Brooks, Gary (May 6, 2025). "Letter to the editor: Russell Cleveland running for US House". Longview News-Journal. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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. ↑ Seymour, Robert. "Schweitzer Endorses Forstag".
  22. 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.
  23. ↑ "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.
  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. ↑ "Endorsements - Sam Forstag for Montana". March 2, 2026. Retrieved September 6, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Three Montana Labor Organizations Endorse Union Leader Sam Forstag in MT-01 Democratic Primary". Retired Americans. April 2, 2026. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  34. ↑ Telling, Sam. "2026 MFPE Member-Endorsed Candidates". Montana Federation of Public Employees. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  35. ↑ Drew, Micah (May 29, 2026). "A look at the candidates running for Montana's western U.S. House seat • Daily Montanan". Daily Montanan. Retrieved September 6, 2026.
  36. ↑ "NFFE Endorses Sam Forstag for Montana's First Congressional District". National Federation of Federal Employees. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  37. ↑ Jakovac, Rachel (July 2, 2026). "2026 Washington Election Endorsements - SEIU 775". SEIU 775. Archived from the original on August 4, 2026. Retrieved September 6, 2026.
  38. ↑ Bailey, Ernest (February 26, 2026). "Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC Endorses Sam Forstag for MT-01". Progressive Caucus. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Sam Forstag for Congress (MT-01)". Our Revolution. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Endorsements". Progressive Democrats of America. Archived from the original on May 26, 2026. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
  41. ↑ Busse, Ryan [@ryandbusse] (April 6, 2026). "Let's go win this thing!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  42. ↑ Wooden, Annie (February 12, 2026). "Hot Springs woman running for Congress". Sanders County Ledger. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  43. 1 2 "2026 House Ratings". Decision Desk HQ. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  44. 1 2 "2026 CPR House Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  45. 1 2 "2026 House Ratings". Inside Elections.
  46. 1 2 "2026 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Tester endorses Forstag in Montana U.S. House race". KECI. NBC Montana. June 11, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  48. 1 2 "Blue Dog PAC Endorses Six New Candidates Built to Win in Competitive Districts". August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  49. ↑ Drew, Micah (July 16, 2026). "Independent Bodnar again leads all candidates in latest fundraising reports • Daily Montanan". Daily Montanan. Retrieved September 6, 2026.
  50. ↑ Woodall, Hunter (September 4, 2026). "Former RNC chair backs Democrat in coveted Montana district". MS NOW. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Sam Forstag Added to DCCC's Coveted 'Red to Blue' Program". DCCC. July 28, 2026. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
  52. ↑ "End Citizens United Endorses Sam Forstag in Montana's 1st Congressional District". June 5, 2026.
  53. ↑ Murphy, Clayton (September 18, 2026). "Interest group money rolls in to Montana's congressional races". Montana Public Radio. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Sam Forstag". J Street PAC. August 1, 2026. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Jewish Dems Endorsed Candidates". Jewish Democratic Council of America. Retrieved September 25, 2026.
  56. ↑ "Sam Forstag". MoveOn: People-Powered Progress. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  57. ↑ "2026 Candidates". Peace Action. Archived from the original on October 13, 2026. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Reproductive Freedom for All Endorses Slate of Challengers Key to Flipping the House This November". Reproductive Freedom for All. Washington, DC. August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 25, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Levee Math". October 21, 2026. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  60. ↑ Warnke, CJ (October 21, 2026). "🚨NEW from @washingtonsun🚨". Twitter. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  61. ↑ Depping, Meridith (September 28, 2026). "Aaron Flint, Sam Forstag nearly tied for Montana Congressional District 1". NonStop Local. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  62. ↑ "Sam Forstag Leads in Recent MT CD 01 Poll" (PDF). Impact Research. September 28, 2026. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  63. 1 2 @zachblackburn23 (September 15, 2026). "The Bench has new polling in MT-01, NC-11, NY-21, and SC-01, all Trump-won districts that Dems are hoping to flip" (Tweet). Retrieved September 15, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  64. ↑ Lutey, Tom (September 15, 2026). "Flint, Forstag in dead heat for House seat". Montana Free Press. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  65. ↑ Rubashkin, Jacob [@JacobRubashkin] (June 29, 2026). "Polling first reported..." (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  66. 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).
  67. 1 2 Drew, Micah (January 23, 2026). "Poll shows Zinke up on Busse, Forstag". Daily Montanan. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  68. ↑ Lutey, Tom (December 18, 2025). "The Poll...err Express". Montana Free Press. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  69. 1 2 3 Ambarian, Jonathon (November 12, 2025). "Montana's Eastern Congressional District: Downing running, two Democrats file". KTVH-DT. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  70. ↑ "Thank You for Supporting Pro-Israel Candidates". Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  71. 1 2 3 "2026 Election United States House - Montana 2nd". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved October 17, 2026.
  72. ↑ Lloyd, Zeke (May 6, 2026). "Windy Boy restarts campaign for Montana's eastern U.S. House seat". Montana Free Press. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  73. ↑ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1951987". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  74. ↑ 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.
  75. ↑ "U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Troy Downing for Montana's Second District". July 14, 2026. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  76. ↑ Warren, Bradley (July 6, 2026). "Senator Jon Tester endorses independent Dr. Michael Eisenhauer in MT02 congressional race". KURL. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  77. ↑ Larson, Seaborn (June 30, 2026). "Montana labor leaders tackle political priorities at Bozeman convention". Billings Gazette. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  78. ↑ Willow Evans, Jordan (August 30, 2026). "Forward Party Endorses Independents Tracey Tackett and Michael Eisenhauer for Congress". Independent Political Report. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  79. ↑ "2026 Election United States House - Montana". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  80. ↑ Lloyd, Zeke (September 15, 2026). "Poll: Rep. Troy Downing ahead in Eastern U.S. House District". Montana Free Press. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
Official campaign websites for 1st district candidates
Official campaign websites for 2nd district candidates