U.S. House · Montana's 1st District
Western Montana, including Missoula, Kalispell and Flathead County.
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED
Sam Forstag, projected winner
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Forstag | 132,003 | 50.3% |
| Aaron Flint | 122,694 | 46.8% |
| Nick Sheedy | 7,522 | 2.9% |
About 98% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗
Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research
- This is an open seat: incumbent Rep. Ryan Zinke (R) did not run for re-election. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee named Sam Forstag to its "Red to Blue" program and the National Republican Congressional Committee named Aaron Flint to its "MAGA Majority" program, reflecting the district's ticket-splitting history: in 2024 Donald Trump carried the district 54%-43% while Zinke won it by a smaller 52%-45% margin and Democratic Sen. Jon Tester won it 50%-49%. As of July 21, 2026, Cook Political Report, DDHQ/The Hill, Inside Elections and Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the general election Likely Republican.[1]
On the November 3 ballot · 3 candidates
Issue evidence — side by side
Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.
Protect legal access to abortion
- Aaron Flint—
- Sam ForstagSupports[6]
Says he would protect access to abortion by codifying Roe v. Wade.
- Nick Sheedy—
Expand immigration enforcement and deportations
- Aaron FlintSupports[7]
In an October 2026 Montana Free Press questionnaire, says Border Patrol and ICE should have the personnel and equipment to deport illegal immigrants from Montana, starting with those convicted of violent crimes and drug trafficking.
- Sam Forstag—
- Nick Sheedy—
Loosen zoning rules to build more housing
- Aaron FlintIn their own words[5]
“We also need to make it easier to build homes and businesses in our state.”
On his campaign website
- Sam ForstagSupports[6]
Calls for federal incentives for zoning and regulatory reform where restrictions block housing, alongside affordable-housing investment.
- Nick Sheedy—
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations
- Aaron Flint—
- Sam ForstagSupports[6]
Calls for raising the corporate income tax rate to 35%, a 30% minimum tax rate on income over $1 million, and a 5% tax on fortunes over $1 billion.
- Nick Sheedy—
Expand public health coverage
- Aaron Flint—
- Sam Forstag
- Nick SheedyIn their own words[8]
“While federal laws and policies should not hinder healthcare services to rural areas, I am not sure the federal government has or should have a significant role to play when it comes to local hospitals and clinics”
In a March 2026 Montana Free Press questionnaire
Raise the minimum wage
- Aaron Flint—
- Sam ForstagSupports[6]
Calls for raising the federal minimum wage to at least $15 per hour and indexing it to inflation.
- Nick Sheedy—
Broad tariffs on imported goods
- Aaron Flint—
- Sam ForstagOpposes[6]
Says tariffs can be a responsible tool in targeted uses, but calls recent tariff policy reckless and destructive and says tariffs should not be used to punish allies.
- Nick Sheedy—
Require Congress to approve U.S. military action abroad
- Aaron FlintIn their own words[3]
“I would not support anything that ties the hands of our military or prevents the President from acting quickly when American lives are at risk.”
In a March 2026 Montana Free Press questionnaire, in answer to whether the War Powers Resolution should be enforced
- Sam ForstagSupports[4]
In a March 2026 questionnaire, said Congress should act under the War Powers Resolution and Article I and vote to end the war with Iran.
- Nick SheedySupports[8]
In a March 2026 Montana Free Press questionnaire, says the War Powers Resolution should be strengthened so a president cannot engage in war without a congressional declaration.
Research notes & limits
Basic-tier research relying on Ballotpedia's race and candidate pages. Independent Kimberly Persico did not make the general-election ballot per Ballotpedia and is excluded. No campaign website, employment history, or education details were found for Nick Sheedy, so his biography is limited to his ballot status and questionnaire answers.
Sources · 19
Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.Sam Forstag · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Sam Forstag campaign website (quoted by Ballotpedia) · Ballotpedia / Forstag for Montana · 2026-07-25 Candidate's own words
- 3.Aaron Flint — 2026 Montana Election Guide (candidate questionnaire, March 2026) · Montana Free Press · 2026-03-01 News report
- 4.Sam Forstag — 2026 Montana Election Guide (candidate questionnaire, March 2026) · Montana Free Press · 2026-03-01 News report
- 5.Issues — Aaron Flint for Montana · Flint for Montana Candidate's own words
- 6.Policies — Sam Forstag for Montana · Sam for Montana Candidate's own words
- 7.Montana candidates on the issues: immigration · Montana Free Press · 2026-10-14 News report
- 8.Nick Sheedy: On the issues (2026 Montana Election Guide) · Montana Free Press · 2026-03-01 News report
- 9.Aaron Flint (Montana) · Ballotpedia Reference
- 10.In Montana's Western District, Aaron Flint is the talked-up candidate for Congress · Montana Free Press · 2026-04-13 News report
- 11.Talk show host Flint to win GOP nomination for Congress · KPAX (via Missoula Current) · 2026-06-02 News report
- 12.U.S. House · Montana's 1st District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 13.Sam Forstag · Ballotpedia Reference
- 14.Sam Forstag campaign website (quoted by Ballotpedia) · Ballotpedia / Forstag for Montana · 2026-07-25 Candidate's own words
- 15.Missoula smokejumper, union leader enters race for Congress · Daily Montanan · 2026-01-05 News report
- 16.Forstag Jumps into Democratic Primary for Western House District · Flathead Beacon · 2026-01-06 News report
- 17.Montana 1st District U.S. House election results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 18.Nick Sheedy: On the issues (2026 Montana Election Guide) · Montana Free Press · 2026-03-01 News report
- 19.U.S. House · Montana's 1st District results 2026 · NBC News News report