Who Is Running in Montana Congressional District 1st in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Ryan Zinke
(Incumbent)Economy
HighRyan Zinke supports economic growth by reducing government intervention, advocating for deregulation of natural resources and tax cuts for businesses. He voted for H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, a bipartisan tax package aimed at incentivizing research and development and providing inflation-adjusted child tax credits. He also co-sponsored the HELPER Act, establishing a new FHA home loan program to assist essential public servants with homeownership.
Immigration
HighRyan Zinke supports measures to prevent non-citizens and illegal immigrants from voting in federal elections. He backed the SAVE America Act, which requires new voters to produce proof of citizenship and states to cross-check voter rolls with a Department of Homeland Security system. Zinke emphasized that "Only Americans should be voting in American elections," citing the need to protect the integrity of elections.
Healthcare
HighRyan Zinke supported the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which secured a $233 million federal investment for Montana's Rural Health Transformation Program in Fiscal Year 2026. He emphasized that access to quality healthcare in rural areas is essential for families and workers in small towns. Additionally, Zinke voted to terminate subsidies for the Affordable Care Act.
Democratic Candidate
No Democratic candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Ryan Zinke |
|---|---|
| Economy | Ryan Zinke supports economic growth by reducing government intervention, advocating for deregulation of natural resources and tax cuts for businesses. He voted for H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, a bipartisan tax package aimed at incentivizing research and development and providing inflation-adjusted child tax credits. He also co-sponsored the HELPER Act, establishing a new FHA home loan program to assist essential public servants with homeownership. High |
| Immigration | Ryan Zinke supports measures to prevent non-citizens and illegal immigrants from voting in federal elections. He backed the SAVE America Act, which requires new voters to produce proof of citizenship and states to cross-check voter rolls with a Department of Homeland Security system. Zinke emphasized that "Only Americans should be voting in American elections," citing the need to protect the integrity of elections. High |
| Healthcare | Ryan Zinke supported the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which secured a $233 million federal investment for Montana's Rural Health Transformation Program in Fiscal Year 2026. He emphasized that access to quality healthcare in rural areas is essential for families and workers in small towns. Additionally, Zinke voted to terminate subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. High |
| Climate & Energy | Ryan Zinke voted against numerous environmental protections, including measures related to limiting environmental review, defunding renewable energy programs, and reversing public lands protections to promote drilling and coal development. As Interior Secretary, he advanced policies to increase oil and gas extraction from government lands, aiming to rein in regulations on natural resources like coal, oil, and natural gas. However, he also recognized climate change as a national security threat and supported forest management for wildfire resilience. High |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Ryan Zinke has voted to restrict abortion access and has supported multiple anti-abortion measures. He voted for a one-year funding ban for Planned Parenthood and for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which bans abortion after 20 weeks. He also voted against adding a health exception to this 20-week abortion ban. Furthermore, Zinke voted for legislation to punish doctors for providing abortion care and to block a bill codifying Roe v. Wade. Medium |
| Foreign Policy | Ryan Zinke emphasizes the restoration of American strength abroad and a robust military, aligning with the "Trump America First Agenda." He advocates for secure borders and believes the U.S. should project power, ensuring that allies share the burden in the fight for freedom. He stated that the economy is moving forward under this approach. High |
| Education | Ryan Zinke supports a parents bill of rights, indicating a position on enhancing parental involvement and rights in educational matters. He also encourages student participation in the Congressional Art Competition. Additionally, his office's website has featured concerns about the University of Montana's program that receives funding from groups linked to the Chinese Communist Party, highlighting a critical view of foreign influence in academic institutions. Low |
| Gun Policy | Ryan Zinke is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and the firearm industry, earning an A+ on the 2024 NSSF Congressional Report Card for his advocacy. During his tenure as Secretary of the Interior, he expanded hunting and fishing access on public lands, repealed the ban on lead shot and tackle, and eliminated policies barring BLM lands from being managed as shooting ranges, demonstrating his commitment to hunting and shooting sports. Medium |
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