Three more Democrats joined the race for U.S. Congress this week.
Former firearms executive Ryan Busse has entered the race for Montana’s western congressional district, the Democrat announced Thursday
The Kalispell resident challenged Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte for Montana’s chief executive office in 2024. Busse ultimately lost by 20 percentage points.
Busse led Kimber Firearms for more than 25 years and worked with conservation organizations prior to his campaign. He rose to prominence for writing a book critical of the gun industry.
A Missoula smokejumper and union leader this week entered the race for the western congressional district. Sam Forstag joins three other Democrats in vying for their party’s nomination to challenge Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke.
Forstag has also worked as a political organizer and lobbyist. He announced an endorsement from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders shortly after launching his campaign. He’ll face Matt Rains of Simms and Russell Cleveland of St. Regis in the Democratic primary.
A U.S. Air Force veteran and leadership coach is now in the race for one of Montana’s U.S. Senate seats. Alani Bankhead of Helena is the fourth Democrat aiming to unseat Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Steve Daines.
Bankhead spent 21 years in the Air Force with special operations and later served as a senior bodyguard with the Pentagon. Reilly Neill of Livingston, Michael Black Wolf of Hayes and Michael Hummert of Helena are also competing in that Democratic primary.
Voters will choose which candidates advance to the general election on June 2.
