How To Use This Guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Rank the two or three that matter most to you, such as housing costs, data centers, public lands or health care.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House and U.S. Senate write federal law and set the federal budget, including how federal public lands are managed and funded, and the Senate also confirms federal judges and approves treaties. The three statewide measures would change Montana’s constitution or state law on judicial elections, citizen initiatives and corporate election spending.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then read the candidates’ own words, endorsements and who funds each campaign.

The U.S. House Race

What This Office Does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. All bills that raise taxes must start in the House. Montana’s Western District covers 16 counties from Bozeman to Eureka, including Flathead, Gallatin and Missoula counties, according to Montana Free Press’ Forstag profile. ​

The seat is open because Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) announced on Monday, March 2, that Zinke would not seek reelection. Zinke won the seat in 2024 with 52.3% of the vote. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race a Toss-up, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Lean Democratic, according to Ballotpedia’s race overview.

Candidates In Brief

Republican Aaron Flint, 46, grew up in Glasgow and hosted the statewide conservative radio show “Montana Talks,” according to Montana Free Press’ Flint profile. Flint served more than 20 years in the Army National Guard and Reserves, deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, earned two Bronze Stars and retired as a lieutenant colonel, according to Flint’s Ballotpedia profile). Flint moved to Flathead County before launching the campaign. Flint won the Tuesday, June 2 Republican primary with 50.1% of the vote to 23.0% for Christi Jacobsen.

Democrat Sam Forstag worked eight years as a wildland firefighter, including four seasons as a smokejumper, and is vice president of a federal firefighters’ union local, according to Montana Free Press. Forstag graduated from the University of Montana and worked as a lobbyist at the Legislature in 2021 and 2023 for the ACLU of Montana and clients including the cities of Missoula and Bozeman, according to the Daily Montanan’s debate report. Forstag won the June 2 Democratic primary with 37.4% of the vote to 33.0% for Ryan Busse, according to Forstag’s Ballotpedia profile.

Libertarian Nick Sheedy advanced without a primary vote.

Where They Stand

Housing. Both candidates would ban corporations from buying single-family homes. Flint blames inflation and regulation and says “Thirty percent of the price of a home is due to big government regulations and red tape.” Flint also wants federally backed mortgages for first responders and teachers. Forstag calls housing costs Forstag’s No. 1 priority and says “Let’s invest to build homes that people can actually afford,” and would bring back the first-time homebuyer tax credit. Sheedy says the most important step is monetary reform, including ending the Federal Reserve, according to Montana Free Press’ Sheedy questionnaire.

Data centers and artificial intelligence. Forstag says “I’ll fight for federal legislation to make sure that they cannot build these data centers until and unless they can prove that they’re going to provide all of their own power.” Forstag also says an AI super PAC has spent $590,000 supporting Flint. Flint says Montana should welcome data centers only without “jacked up electricity rates” or water shortages, and that “We cannot let communist China or Russia dominate when it comes to AI.”

Public lands and forests. Flint says “I will fight to keep public lands in public hands” and supports Zinke’s Public Lands in Public Hands Act and more timber harvest to reduce wildfire smoke. Forstag says that pledge “doesn’t mean anything” without funding and would rebuild public land agencies cut by the Department of Government Efficiency and legalize corner crossing.

Health care. Forstag would let every American buy into Medicare and restore the Medicaid funding cut by the 2025 tax and spending law. Flint calls the Affordable Care Act “a complete train wreck,” wants to crack down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud and points to the law’s $50 billion rural health fund, which sent Montana $233 million. Sheedy says Congress can best improve access by lowering “the regulatory burden.”

The war with Iran. Flint says “We need to end the war in Iran” but would not support anything that “ties the hands of our military.” Forstag would vote to end the war and spend the money at home. Sheedy wants the War Powers Resolution strengthened.

Ethics. Both Flint and Forstag would ban congressional stock trading. Flint also supports “No budget, no pay” for Congress and a balanced budget amendment. Forstag would repeal Citizens United and set a 30% minimum income tax on income over $1 million.

In Their Own Words

Aaron Flint, to Montana Free Press:

“Radio is an incredible way of connecting with people and really getting to be part of the family.”

Sam Forstag, at the Oct. 13 debate:

“The role of government is not to impose a worldview on us one way or the other. It’s to actually improve our lives.”

Nick Sheedy, in Montana Free Press’ candidate questionnaire:

“As a Libertarian, I am not beholden to my party or my party leadership.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Flint and Forstag debated on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in a debate produced by Montana Free Press and NonStop Local in Missoula, according to Montana Free Press’ debate report. Sheedy did not take part. Flint repeatedly called Forstag a lobbyist and “phony Forstag,” and Forstag accused Flint of “angry rhetoric.” Both candidates backed restoring southern passenger rail service across Montana.

Flint and Forstag completed Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey, and Sheedy did not. All three candidates answered Montana Free Press’ candidate questionnaire.

Endorsements

Before the primary, President Donald Trump endorsed Flint in early March, calling Flint “a MAGA Warrior,” according to NBC Montana. Also before the primary, Zinke backed Flint immediately after announcing Zinke’s retirement. Trump campaigned for Flint at a rally in Kalispell on Wednesday, Oct. 14. AllCiv’s endorsement data also lists Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) among Flint’s backers.

Before the primary, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) held a rally for Forstag in Missoula, and Forstag is also endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), according to the Daily Montanan. Forstag is backed by 17 labor unions, according to Montana Free Press. AllCiv’s endorsement data also lists former Sen. Jon Tester (D) and former Govs. Steve Bullock (D) and Marc Racicot (R) among Forstag’s backers.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia:

  • Forstag reported raising $4,312,110 and spending $3,585,985, with $726,126 on hand.
  • Flint reported raising $2,856,139 and spending $2,447,986, with $408,153 on hand.
  • Sheedy has not reported any fundraising.

AllCiv’s Montana 1st District race page shows $1.9 million in outside spending in the race. About $1.2 million of it supported Flint and about $411,000 supported Forstag, according to Ballotpedia’s FEC data. Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings, while smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total.

The Incumbent’s Record

No incumbent is on the House ballot. Zinke, who has held the Western District seat since it was created for the 2022 election, is retiring.

Challengers’ Records

Flint, Forstag and Sheedy have not held public office. Flint worked for former Sen. Conrad Burns (R) starting at age 19 and served as student body president at the University of Montana, according to Ballotpedia.

The U.S. Senate Race

What This Office Does

U.S. senators serve six-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. The Senate also confirms presidential nominees, including federal judges and Cabinet members, and approves treaties.

The seat is open because Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) withdrew on Wednesday, March 4, minutes before the filing deadline, and endorsed Kurt Alme, according to Montana Public Radio. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the race Solid Republican, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates it Safe Republican, according to Ballotpedia’s Senate race overview.

Candidates In Brief

Republican Kurt Alme of Billings was twice nominated by Trump as U.S. attorney for Montana and earlier served as state budget director and revenue director, according to Alme’s Ballotpedia profile. Alme won the June 2 Republican primary with 76.1% of the vote.

Independent Seth Bodnar of Missoula is a West Point graduate, Rhodes Scholar and former Green Beret who deployed to Iraq and served eight years as president of the University of Montana, according to Bodnar’s Ballotpedia profile. Bodnar formally launched an independent campaign on March 4, the same day Daines withdrew, according to the Daily Montanan’s campaign launch report.

Democrat Alani Bankhead of Helena is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former federal special agent who worked on anti-trafficking and child exploitation cases, according to Bankhead’s Ballotpedia profile. Bankhead won the June 2 Democratic primary with 43.6% of the vote to 33.0% for Reilly Neill.

Libertarian Kyle Austin of Billings is a pharmacist, farmer and pilot raised on the Hi-Line, according to Austin’s Ballotpedia profile). Austin won the Libertarian primary with 53.3% of the vote, though the state Libertarian Party has said Austin does not share its values, according to the Daily Montanan’s Senate debate report. Jami Woodman is running as a write-in candidate.

Where They Stand

Health care. Alme wants to make health care “more affordable by making it more transparent” and says Alme “will never support a cut in benefits for seniors.” Bodnar backs a universal coverage option “while maintaining choice and competition,” restoring expired Affordable Care Act subsidies and protecting Medicaid expansion. Bankhead backs universal health care modeled on the military’s TRICARE program. Austin proposes “Healthcare 2.0” and wants to “actually pay our providers what they’re worth.”

Data centers and AI. Bankhead says “I am the loudest on this stage about being opposed to them.” Bodnar says “we need to stop any AI data center that wants to come into this state and exploit Montana communities.” Alme says AI companies should be “transparent, clear about their cost to the community and other effects.” Austin says “I don’t want data centers in my backyard in Montana.”

Tariffs and trade. Alme says “I had my doubts about tariffs, but Canada has gone with unfair trade for too long.” Bodnar calls them “nonsensical, non-strategic trade wars that are driving up costs for all of us,” and Austin wants “0% tariffs,” according to Montana Free Press’ Senate debate report.

Immigration. Alme says “Securing the border is common sense. And President Trump has done it.” Bodnar calls Immigration and Customs Enforcement “a masked, untrained, unaccountable paramilitary force.” Bankhead says “A border should allow good people in and keep bad people out,” and Austin says ICE should “treat these people like people.”

Public lands. Alme says “I will always fight to keep our public lands in public hands.” Bodnar and Bankhead oppose the proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule, which covers about 6 million acres in Montana, and Austin supports it with conditions.

Spending and taxes. Alme says “I balanced a budget, and I’m ready to go to Washington and do it again,” and would introduce a bill to stop Congress’ pay if it cannot balance the budget. Bankhead says “This race is not about Democrat versus Republican. It’s about the 1% versus everybody else.”

In Their Own Words

Kurt Alme, at the Oct. 11 debate:

“I’m the only candidate up here with a proven record of cutting taxes, balancing our state budget, and locking up violent criminals.”

Seth Bodnar, at the same debate:

“Montana is my party.”

Alani Bankhead, at the same debate:

“I will absolutely fight for the people of Montana because I’m unbought and unbossed and unafraid.”

Kyle Austin, at the same debate:

“Public lands will remain public lands.”

Questionnaires And Debates

All four ballot candidates met for the first time on Sunday, Oct. 11, in a 90-minute debate in Bozeman sponsored by the Montana Broadcasters Association and the Greater Montana Foundation and aired on Montana PBS. It was Alme’s first debate. Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin had already debated in Whitefish. Alme, Bodnar, Bankhead and Austin completed Ballotpedia’s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Endorsements

Before the primary, Daines endorsed Alme on Wednesday, March 4, and Trump endorsed Alme shortly after, according to Montana Public Radio. AllCiv’s endorsement data also lists Sheehy and Gianforte among Alme’s backers.

Former Sen. Jon Tester (D) endorsed Bodnar, according to KTVH’s debate report. AllCiv’s endorsement data also lists former Sens. Max Baucus (D) and Joe Manchin (I) among Bodnar’s backers, and former Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D), the National Organization for Women and the National Women’s Political Caucus among Bankhead’s backers.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from FEC reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia:

  • Bodnar reported raising $4,918,341 and spending $4,337,420, with $580,921 on hand.
  • Alme reported raising $3,013,681 and spending $2,410,943, with $602,738 on hand.
  • Austin reported raising $261,825 and spending $259,691, with $2,684 on hand.
  • Bankhead reported raising $190,565 and spending $167,745, with $22,820 on hand.

AllCiv’s Montana U.S. Senate race page shows $9.2 million in outside spending in the race. Ballotpedia’s FEC data shows about $3.2 million of it supporting Bankhead, $2.4 million supporting Alme and $972,000 opposing Bodnar.

The Incumbent’s Record

Daines, the incumbent, is not on the ballot. Daines called serving in Congress “the greatest honor of my professional career” when announcing the decision to step aside.

Challengers’ Records

Alme served as Montana’s U.S. attorney under two Trump appointments and as budget director for Gianforte, according to Montana Public Radio. Bodnar led the University of Montana for eight years, and Bankhead, Austin and Woodman have not held elected office.

Scorecards Readers Can Check

None of the candidates on either ballot has served in Congress, so none has a congressional scorecard. Voters who want to see how the departing incumbents voted can check Zinke’s and Daines’ ratings from these groups:

Also On Your Ballot

Every Montana voter will see three statewide measures, along with legislative and local races, according to Montana Free Press’ ballot initiatives guide.

CI-132: Nonpartisan judicial elections. A Yes vote adds a line to the Montana Constitution saying “Judicial elections shall remain nonpartisan,” which would make it much harder for lawmakers to make judicial races partisan. A No vote leaves the constitution unchanged. Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts says it will “keep judges accountable to the people’s interests, not deep-pocketed political interests.” The Montana Republican Party opposes it, saying in a resolution that “the Montana Supreme Court has long acted as a partisan Democrat bench.”

CI-133: Initiative and referendum rights. A Yes vote makes proposing and voting on citizen initiatives a “fundamental right” in the constitution that government may not burden without a compelling interest. It would require the state to review initiative language within 90 days, resolve legal challenges before ballots are finalized and allow “reasonably ample time” for signature gathering. A No vote leaves the current process in place. Dani Hess of Montanans Decide says “CI-133 protects our right to propose and vote on laws that put our interests first,” according to the Daily Montanan’s CI-133 report. Charles Robison of the Montana Chamber of Commerce calls it “vaguely written” and says “I think it’s reckless and also unnecessary.”

I-194: Corporate election spending. A Yes vote changes state law to bar “artificial persons,” including corporations, nonprofits, trusts and unions with charters filed with the state, from spending money to influence local, state or federal elections. A No vote keeps current law. Organizer Jeff Mangan, a former state commissioner of political practices, says it is designed to get around the 2010 Citizens United ruling, and Tester, Racicot and Bullock back it. The Montana, Kalispell and Billings chambers of commerce oppose it, writing that a “Main Street restaurant could not support a local levy to improve public safety.”

Before You Go

Today

  • Election Day is today, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Most polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and polling places with fewer than 400 registered voters must open by noon, according to Election Protection’s Montana guide. Voters in line at 8 p.m. may vote.
  • Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. today. You can drop yours at your county election office or any polling place in your county.
  • ID: Bring a Montana driver’s license or state ID, military ID, tribal photo ID, U.S. passport, concealed carry permit or certain student IDs. Without one, bring a photo ID plus a current utility bill, bank statement or government document showing your name and address. Voters without proper ID can cast a provisional ballot.
  • Late registration: If you are not registered, contact your county election office about registering and voting in person today.
  • Questions: Call the Montana Elections Division at 888-884-VOTE, or call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Deadlines That Have Passed

  • Regular registration closed Monday, Oct. 5.
  • Absentee ballot requests were due at noon Monday, Nov. 2.

Sources

AllCiv Profiles and Race Pages

Official Records

Candidate Statements and Questionnaires

News

Ballot Measures

Endorsements

Scorecards

Voting Information

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