Sam Forstag

Democrat

United States Representative 1st Congressional District · Missoula County, Montana · November 3, 2026

Also on the ballot: Nick Sheedy (Libertarian), Aaron Flint (Republican)

Sam Forstag is a union local vice president and former Forest Service smokejumper running for the open western Montana House seat; he does not hold the seat. His platform calls for higher taxes on corporations and the very wealthy, an optional free Medicare plan for working people, and a path to citizenship. Through June 30, 2026 he reported $1.38 million raised and $550,079 on hand.

What this office decides

A U.S. Representative writes and votes on federal law, taxes, and spending, and the House starts every tax and budget bill. Montana's 1st Congressional District covers the western part of the state, including Missoula. Elected every two years.

How this race lines up with you

Loading your answers…

Dossier

Researched 2026-09-23 · Claude Code research agent with web search

Donald Trump: opposed. Trump endorsed Forstag's Republican opponent, Aaron Flint, in this race on March 3, 2026 ("It is my Great Honor to endorse Aaron Flint"); no direct Trump statement about Forstag was found. source

Sen. Bernie Sanders (for) source
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (for) source
Former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (for) source
Former Gov. Steve Bullock (for) source
Former Gov. and RNC Chair Marc Racicot (for) source
Montana AFL-CIO (for) source
Montana Conservation Voters (for) source
League of Conservation Voters (for) source
Congressional Progressive Caucus (for) source
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (Red to Blue program) (for) source

Who they are

Sam Forstag, a former smokejumper, is vice president of a federal employees' union local representing about 800 Forest Service workers (Wikipedia). He does not hold this seat; Rep. Ryan Zinke (R) did not seek re-election (MTFP guide; Ballotpedia News).

Positions

Taxes & spending: A 35% corporate rate, a 30% minimum rate on income over $1 million and a 5% tax on fortunes over $1 billion (campaign).
Health care: "Give everyone the choice to join Medicare – and make it free for working people"; restore enhanced ACA subsidies (campaign).
Immigration: A "pathway to legal status and citizenship"; judicial warrants for arrests; body cameras for agents (campaign).
Energy & environment: End fast-track programs used "to circumvent fundamental environmental protections"; data centers that fail his power, water and union-jobs tests "should not be built" (campaign; Missoulian).
Foreign policy: Enforce the War Powers Resolution; war "should be a last resort" (MTFP guide).
Personal freedom: Codify Roe v. Wade (campaign).
Guns: "I'll always fight to defend" Second Amendment rights (campaign).

Record

Never held public office; a first-time candidate (Flathead Beacon).

Money

FEC, Jan. 1–June 30, 2026: $1,382,873 raised, $832,794 spent, $550,079 cash on hand; $1.22 million from individuals, $140,550 from committees (FEC). Committee donors include Impossible to Inevitable ($16,400) and Congressional Progressive Caucus, SEIU, IBEW and AFT PACs ($5,000 each) (FEC receipts). Campaign pledges "No corporate PACs" (campaign).

What we couldn't find

Positions on Colstrip, oil and gas, or electricity rates.
FEC totals after June 30, 2026.

Sources (15)