2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana
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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]
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November 3, 2026
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Both Montana seats to the United States House of Representatives | ||||||||||
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District 1
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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
Candidates
Nominee
- Aaron Flint, radio host[4]
Eliminated in primary
- Ray Curtis, educator[5]
- Christi Jacobsen, Secretary of State of Montana (2021–present)[6]
- Albert Olszewski, former state senator (2017–2021), Flathead County Republican Central Committee chairman, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018, governor in 2020, and this seat in 2022[7]
Withdrawn
- Ryan Zinke, incumbent U.S. representative (endorsed Flint)[7]
Declined
- Matt Regier, president of the Montana Senate (2025–present) from the 5th district (2025–present)[8]
- Denny Rehberg, former U.S. representative (2001–2013)[8]
Endorsements
Aaron Flint
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present) (previously endorsed Zinke)[9]
- U.S. senators
- Tim Sheehy, Montana (2025–present)[7]
- U.S. representatives
- Troy Downing, MT-02 (2025–present)[7]
- Richard Hudson, NC-09 (2013–present)[10]
- Mike Johnson, speaker of the House (2023–present) from LA-04 (2017–present)[8]
- Jim Jordan, OH-04 (2007–present)[11]
- Lisa McClain, MI-09 (2021–present)[11]
- Steve Scalise, House majority leader (2023-present) from LA-01 (2008-present)[11]
- Ryan Zinke, MT-01 (2023–present)[7]
- Statewide officials
- James Brown, state auditor of Montana (2025–present)[8]
- Greg Gianforte, governor of Montana (2021–present)[8]
- Austin Knudsen, attorney general of Montana (2021–present)[8]
- State legislators
- Brandon Ler, speaker of the Montana State House (2025–present) from the 35th district (2021-present)[11]
- Organizations
Ryan Zinke (withdrawn)
- Executive branch officials
Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[12] (endorsed Flint after Zinke withdrew)[9]
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[13] | |||
Results
Flint
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
Jacobsen
- 40–50%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Aaron Flint | 40,880 | 50.1 | |
| Republican | Christi Jacobsen | 18,722 | 23.0 | |
| Republican | Al Olszewski | 16,517 | 20.3 | |
| Republican | Ray Curtis | 5,435 | 6.7 | |
| Total votes | 81,554 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Sam Forstag, smokejumper and nephew of U.S. Representative Susie Lee[15]
Eliminated in primary
- Ryan Busse, author, former vice president of sales at Kimber Manufacturing, and nominee for governor in 2024[16]
- Russell Cleveland, education consultant[17]
- Matt Rains, rancher and candidate for Montana's at-large congressional district in 2020[18]
Declined
- Brian Schweitzer, former Governor of Montana (2005–2013)[8](endorsed Busse)
- Hank Green, vlogger and entrepreneur[19]
Endorsements
Ryan Busse
- U.S. senators
- Ruben Gallego, Arizona (2025–present)[20]
- Statewide officials
- Brian Schweitzer, former governor of Montana (2005–2013)[20]
- State Legislators
- Susan Webber, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present) (co-endorsement with Forstag and Cleveland)[21]
- Organizations
- League of Conservation Voters Action Fund[22]
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
- Josh Hutcherson, actor[21]
- Organizations
- Indivisible Missoula[20]
Sam Forstag
- U.S. senators
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont (2007–present) (Independent)[25]
- U.S. representatives
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, NY-14 (2019–present)[26]
- Greg Casar, TX-35 (2023–present)[27]
- Maxwell Frost, FL-10 (2023–present)[27]
- Pramila Jayapal, WA-07 (2017–present)[27]
- 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
- American Federation of Government Employees[28]
- Association of Flight Attendants[29]
- Montana AFL-CIO[20]
- National Federation of Federal Employees[30]
- 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
| 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
Results
Forstag
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
Busse
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
Cleveland
- 30–40%
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sam Forstag | 25,854 | 37.3 | |
| Democratic | Ryan Busse | 22,952 | 33.1 | |
| Democratic | Russell Cleveland | 15,067 | 21.7 | |
| Democratic | Matt Rains | 5,476 | 7.9 | |
| Total votes | 69,349 | 100.0 | ||
Third party and independents
Candidates
Declared
- Nick Sheedy (Libertarian)[5]
- Kimberly Persico (Independent)[34]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[35] | Likely R | June 13, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[36] | Likely R | March 12, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[37] | Likely R | June 13, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[38] | Tilt R | June 8, 2026 |
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Aaron Flint (R) | $677,089 | $292,415 | $384,674 |
| Sam Forstag (D) | $694,570 | $533,132 | $161,437 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[39] | |||
Post-primary endorsements
Sam Forstag (D)
- U.S. senators
- Jon Tester, Montana (2007–2025)[40]
Polling
Hypothetical polling
- Aaron Flint vs. Matt Rains
- Ryan Zinke vs. Ryan Busse
- Ryan Zinke vs. Sam Forstag
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Aaron Flint | ||||
| Democratic | Sam Forstag | ||||
| Total votes | |||||
District 2
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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
Candidates
Nominee
- Troy Downing, incumbent U.S. representative[44]
Endorsements
Troy Downing
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[12]
- 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[46] | |||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Troy Downing (incumbent) | 81,764 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 81,764 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Brian Miller, attorney[44]
Eliminated in primary
- Sam Lux, horse farrier[44]
- Jonathan Windy Boy, state senator from the 16th district (2009–2017, 2025–present)[47]
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[46] | |||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian Miller | 23,941 | 55.7 | |
| Democratic | Sam Lux | 11,683 | 27.2 | |
| Democratic | Jonathan Windy Boy | 7,379 | 17.2 | |
| Total votes | 43,003 | 100.0 | ||
Libertarian primary
Declared
- Patrick McCracken[48]
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Michael Eisenhauer, cardiologist[49]
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[46] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[35] | Solid R | June 13, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[36] | Solid R | June 13, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[37] | Safe R | June 13, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[38] | Safe R | September 26, 2025 |
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 |
| Brian Miller (D) | $15,220 | $9,390 | $1,821 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[39] | |||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Troy Downing (incumbent) | ||||
| Democratic | Brian Miller | ||||
| Total votes | |||||
See also
Notes
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
Partisan clients
- Poll sponsored by Busse's campaign
- Poll sponsored by 314 Action
- Poll conducted by Leadership in Action PAC, which supports Zinke