2026 Candidates - U.S. House of Representatives, Montana District 1

Learn about the Democratic candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, Montana District 1, their positions and priorities, how to contact them, and how to support them.

Information for candidates running to represent Ravalli County will be posted here after the candidacies have officially declared and the campaigns have provided information for publication. We do not edit their statements.

We endeavor to provide equal treatment and visibility to all declared Democratic candidates. We encourage voters to look into their resumes, statements and positions so voters can make educated decisions when they vote.

Important Dates:

  • Statewide Primary Elections will be held on June 2, 2026.
  • General Election will be held on November 3, 2026.

For information about registering to vote and checking your voter registration status, please visit Register to Vote.

Ryan Busse, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Montana District 1

Introductory video from campaign website (YouTube - 2 min)

From the campaign:

"I’m a Montanan who wants my kids to grow up the way I did – with opportunity, freedom, and a sense of responsibility. Right now, the Montana we know and love is being sold to billionaires and wealthy corporations by people like Ryan Zinke – he’s giving them tax breaks while making our lives harder.  I am running for Congress to fight for the people who make this state great. This election is about choosing a new path, and I’m asking you to join me – this is literally the fight of our lives.

"It’s time to stand up to the out-of-state billionaires and the wealthy corporations. It’s time we had a congressman who fights for real Montanans..."

Learn more on the official campaign website: Ryan Busse for Montana

Russell Cleveland, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Montana District 1

Introductory video at Town Hall hosted by
Ravalli County Democrats in Hamilton, Montana on October 20, 2025. (YouTube - 9 min)

From the campaign:

"Russ Cleveland is a father, coach, small business owner, and Navy veteran who has spent the last decade helping families through crisis while carrying the loss of a child to leukemia. He chose to run as a Democrat for the U.S. House in MT-01 to bring back humility, integrity, and decency to Western Montana’s representation in Washington.

"Raised on a farm in Stevensville, Russ knows what it means to work hard, care for your neighbors, and fight for the community you love. As a husband and father, he is determined to leave the next generation a Montana that is strong, safe, and full of opportunity. The fight ahead isn’t left versus right, it is top versus bottom.

"Big money and outside interests have turned Montana’s beautiful lands into a bargaining chip..."

Learn more on the official campaign website: Russ Cleveland for Congress '26

Sam Forstag, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Montana District 1

Introductory video from campaign website (YouTube - 1.5 min)

From the campaign:

"Sam was raised by a mom who picked up extra nursing shifts and a dad who became a public school teacher, and they made just enough to get by. That childhood taught Sam the value of hard work. It also taught him just how hard it can be for working people to get by in an economy that too often doesn’t work for them.

"After working his way through school at the University of Montana, he went to work for the Forest Service, where he climbed the ranks to become a smokejumper – a firefighter who parachutes into remote areas to stop fires before they grow.

"Between fire seasons, Sam never stopped showing up for Montanans, working as an organizer across Montana and an advocate at the state legislature, where he fought for public education, libraries, healthcare and constitutional freedoms..."

Learn more on the official campaign website: Sam for Montana. For all of us

Matt Rains, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Montana District 1

Introductory video provided by campaign (YouTube - 1.5 min)

From the campaign:

"Matt Rains is a U.S. Army veteran, fourth-generation Montana rancher, and the kind of leader we need in Congress.

"Matt is a different kind of Democrat –  part of a new generation of leadership that is bold about improving people’s lives and loyal in keeping our Montana heritage true to its roots.

"He served his country as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in South Korea and Iraq. And he served Montanans by opening the first rancher-owned, USDA-certified meat-packing co-op in Havre, MT..."

Learn more on the official campaign website:  Matt Rains for Montana

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