Shaylee Ragar
MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler speaks with Russ Cleveland, a Democrat running for Montana's western U.S. House seat.
Candidate Q&A
Q&A: Russ Cleveland, Democratic western district U.S. House candidate
MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler speaks with Russ Cleveland, a Democrat running for Montana's western U.S. House seat.
Q&A: Ryan Busse, Democratic western district U.S. House candidate
MTPR is airing interviews with candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Victoria Traxler speaks with Ryan Busse, a Democrat running for Montana's western U.S. House seat.
Q&A: Kimberly Persico, independent western district U.S. House candidate
MTPR is interviewing candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR's Shaylee Ragar speaks with Kimberly Persico, an independent candidate running for Montana's western U.S. House seat.
Q&A: Sam Forstag, Democratic western district U.S. House candidate
MTPR is interviewing candidates running for federal office in 2026. MTPR’s Austin Amestoy speaks with Sam Forstag, a Democrat running for Montana’s western district U.S. House seat.
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The Montana Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to a proposed ballot initiative aimed at dark money in politics. A coalition of industry groups sued to block the proposal. They argue it’s unconstitutionally vague and violates their right to free speech. -
Republican Senate candidate Kurt Alme comes out of the shadows. Former Sen. Jon Tester says he is "wait and see" on endorsing independent candidate Seth Bodnar. Republican House candidate Christi Jacobsen crams a lot of activities into her new ad. And the Gianforte administration backtracks on its ban of weekend rallies at the Capitol. -
Former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, Governors Marc Racicot and Steve Bullock drew an overflowing crowd to a forum in Helena last weekend. They talked about the upcoming elections, the Trump agenda, and defending democracy. Racicot was a Republican governor from 1993 to 2001. Bullock and Tester were the last Democrats to hold statewide office in Montana. -
The supposed Republican frontrunner in the U.S. Senate race is off to a timid start. The independent candidate in that race vows not to resort to namecalling. Two of the candidates for the U.S. House make no such promise. A national Conservative group is working hard to defeat moderate Republicans running for the Legislature. And the Gianforte administration reconsiders its ban on weekend rallies at the Capitol. -
Democratic candidates for the western district House seat try to differentiate themselves from the pack. One area they differ: whether or not to take PAC money. Montana voters may get a chance to change campaign spending laws in the state. And one of the Democratic candidates hopes to channel the campaign success of a former governor.
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A ballot initiative aimed at restricting dark money in Montana elections is advancing. Dubbed "The Montana Plan," the proposal would prohibit any entity that does business in Montana from contributing to candidates, political parties or ballot issues. -
Democrats competing in Montana’s western district congressional race met for a debate in Butte Tuesday. They discussed money in politics, data centers and access to health care, among other topics. While the candidates found some distinction between their views, they agree on most issues. -
Montana Democrats gathered in Helena over the weekend to rally ahead of the 2026 election. Party leaders focused their message on rebuilding support for Democrats and unifying around their candidates. -
Daines is out, Alme and Bodnar are in. Flint is in, Zinke is out. Sheehy is in ... a scuffle in the Senate. Just another week in Montana politics.
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U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, Montana’s top federal law enforcement officer, resigned from office Wednesday, the same day he launched a surprise campaign for U.S. Senate.
