2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana

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

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, combat veteran and radio host

Eliminated in primary Ray Curtis, educator Christi Jacobsen, Secretary of State of Montana (2021–present) 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

Withdrawn Ryan Zinke, incumbent U.S. representative (endorsed Flint)

Declined Matt Regier, president of the Montana Senate (2025–present) from the 5th district (2025–present) Denny Rehberg, former U.S. representative (2001–2013)

Endorsements

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handAaron Flint (R)$677,089$292,415$384,673Christi Jacobson (R)$447,271$352,505$94,766Albert Olszewski (R)$411,338$317,276$104,010Source: Federal Election Commission

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Sam Forstag, smokejumper and union leader

Eliminated in primary Ryan Busse, author, former vice president of sales at Kimber Manufacturing, and nominee for governor in 2024 Russell Cleveland, education consultant Matt Rains, rancher and candidate for in 2020

Declined Brian Schweitzer, former governor of Montana (2005–2013) (endorsed Busse, then Forstag)

Endorsements

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

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RyanBusse RussellCleveland SamForstag MattRains UndecidedTulchin Research (D)March 28 – April 1, 2026400 (LV)–35%20%13%5%27%

Results

Libertarian primary Candidates Nominee Nick Sheedy

Results

Independents Candidates Declared Kimberly Persico (Independent)

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of Decision Desk HQ July 14, 2026 The Cook Political Report September 25, 2026 Inside Elections October 1, 2026 Sabato's Crystal Ball September 29, 2026

Post-primary endorsements

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

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorAaronFlint (R)SamForstag (D)NickSheedy (L) UndecidedAmerican PulseSeptember 19–24, 2026314 (LV)46%45%5%3%Impact Research (D)September 20–23, 2026500 (LV)± 3.4%44%47%2%7%Public Policy Polling (D)September 9–10, 2026536 (RV)± 4.2%43%45%–12%Rutgers University Eagleton Institute of PoliticsAugust 27 – September 7, 2026375 (RV)± 6.0%42%41%5%11%Impact Research (D)June 22–25, 2026500 (LV)± 4.4%44%44%5%7%Upswing Research (D)April 30 – May 5, 2026401 (LV)± 4.9%48%43%–9%

Aaron Flint vs. Matt Rains Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorAaronFlint (R)MattRains (D) UndecidedUpswing Research (D)April 30 – May 5, 2026401 (LV)± 4.9%47%43%10%

Ryan Zinke vs. Ryan Busse Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorRyanZinke (R)RyanBusse (D) UndecidedPeak Insights (R)January 12–15, 2026400 (LV)± 5.0%47%41%12%Tulchin Research (D)November 22–25, 2025424 (LV)± 5.0%43%47%10%

Ryan Zinke vs. Sam Forstag Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorRyanZinke (R)SamForstag (D) UndecidedPeak Insights (R)January 12–15, 2026400 (LV)± 5.0%48%38%14%

Generic Republican vs. generic Democrat Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error GenericRepublican GenericDemocrat UndecidedPublic Policy Polling (D)September 9–10, 2026536 (RV)± 4.2%48%44%12%

Results

District 2

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 Troy Downing, incumbent U.S. representative

Endorsements

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handTroy Downing (R)$1,794,757$1,512,717$393,570Source: Federal Election Commission

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Brian Miller, attorney

Eliminated in primary Sam Lux, horse farrier Jonathan Windy Boy, state senator from the 16th district (2009–2017, 2025–present)

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handSam Lux (D)$9,611$8,845$943Brian Miller (D)$15,220$9,390$1,821Source: Federal Election Commission

Results

Libertarian primary Candidates Nominee Patrick McCracken

Results

Independents Candidates Declared Michael Eisenhauer, cardiologist

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handMichael Eisenhauer (I)$259,927$124,165$135,762Source: Federal Election Commission

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of Decision Desk HQ July 14, 2026 The Cook Political Report June 13, 2025 Inside Elections June 13, 2025 Sabato's Crystal Ball June 13, 2025

Post-primary endorsements

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash 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$140,122Source: Federal Election Commission

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorTroyDowning (R)BrianMiller (D)MichaelEisenhauer (I) Other UndecidedRutgers University Eagleton Institute of PoliticsAugust 27 – September 7, 2026470 (RV)± 5.8%48%26%9%5%12%

Results

See also 2026 Montana elections 2026 United States House of Representatives elections 2026 Montana House of Representatives election

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links Official campaign websites for 1st district candidates Aaron Flint (R) Sam Forstag (D) Kimberly Persico (I)

Official campaign websites for 2nd district candidates Troy Downing (R) Mike Eisenhauer (I) Patrick McCracken (L) Brian Miller (D)