Who's In The Race

More than 12,000 people in Yellowstone County signed a petition this summer to require a public vote before any new data center is built there, the Daily Montanan reported. Brian Miller), the Helena civil trial attorney who represented the petition's organizer in court, is now trying to unseat Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT) in Montana's 2nd U.S. House District.

A win would make Miller the first Democrat Montana has sent to the U.S. House since 1997, according to the Daily Montanan. Downing, a former state auditor, is seeking a second term after running unopposed in the June 2 Republican primary.

Miller, a first-time candidate, won the Democratic primary with 55.5% of the vote over two rivals. Independent Michael Eisenhauer and Libertarian Patrick McCracken are also on the ballot, according to the Montana Free Press.

What They Stand For

Miller opposes building more data centers in Montana and says communities should get to vote on them. He also questions developers' water use, telling Montana Right Now, "They don't disclose what they're doing with water." Downing agrees communities should decide and says Montana's senior water rights must be protected from data centers.

On health care, Miller wants to restore Medicaid funding and Affordable Care Act subsidies. He told NBC Montana the country should consider other models, such as Germany's multi-payer system. He would also repeal tariffs on Canada, require country-of-origin labels on food and support right-to-repair rules.

Downing backs $50 billion in federal funding for rural health facilities and says he has opposed selling off public land, according to his Montana Free Press election guide questionnaire. On Iran, he told Montana Public Radio that "this planet is not safe if Iran is allowed nuclear weapons." Miller lists the war in Iran as a top issue and says in his own questionnaire that he won't vote for military funding until U.S. forces leave the Middle East.

The Money Behind The Race

Downing reported raising about $2.1 million and spending about $1.6 million through June 30, according to Federal Election Commission filings. That left him about $650,000 in the bank, while Miller reported raising about $19,000 through the same date and had about $3,000 left.

Race Outlook: Ratings And Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rates the race Solid Republican as of Sept. 25, and Inside Elections gave it the same rating as of Sept. 17. Sabato's Crystal Ball calls it Safe Republican as of Sept. 22. On Kalshi, traders favored Downing at about 96.8% as of Monday, Sept. 28.

A Montana Free Press poll of registered voters in the district, taken Aug. 27 to Sept. 7, found Downing at 48% and Miller at 26%, counting voters who lean toward a candidate. Eisenhauer drew 9% and McCracken 5%.

Downing won the seat with nearly 66% of the vote in 2024, when Republicans also won Montana's other House seat and its U.S. Senate race. Donald Trump carried the state with about 58% that year.

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