Christopher Paul Buckles

Christopher Paul Buckles is the Republican candidate for Montana State Senate District 8 in the November 3, 2026 general election, facing Democrat Tyson Running Wolf for a seat with no incumbent.[1][3] A healthcare administrator who has worked in Montana’s Medicaid waiver program for serious mental illness since 2015, Buckles lists Medicaid reform as his highest priority.[1][2]

Christopher Paul Buckles served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1988 to 1994 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ashford University in 2013, according to Ballotpedia.[1] In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey, Buckles said he was born in Exeter, California, lives in Saint Ignatius, Montana, and double-majored in sociology and healthcare administration.[2] He also said he completed more than 2,000 hours of mental-health training and has worked as a provider in the state’s Severely Debilitating Mental Illness Medicaid waiver program since 2015.[2]

Buckles advanced from the Republican primary for Montana House of Representatives District 100 in 2024 and lost the general election to incumbent SJ Howell.[1] He advanced from the Republican primary for Senate District 8 on June 2, 2026.[1] In his 2026 survey responses, Buckles said he would prioritize protecting individual freedom, spending taxpayer money responsibly and providing practical solutions, including Medicaid reform, efforts against sex trafficking, and property-tax relief.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.