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Smokejumper Sam Forstag Wins Montana Primary, Defends Union Jobs

6/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Sam Forstag, smokejumper and union leader, won Montana’s Democratic primary and will run in the November general election after Elon Musk’s cuts eliminated a quarter of the U.S. Forest Service staff.
Endorsed by progressive lawmakers, he accused Rep. Ryan Zinke of ignoring the layoffs at a Missoula rally, pledging to defend union jobs.
Earlier polls showed most voters were unfamiliar with Forstag and gave gun-control advocate Ryan Busse a lead.

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Story summary

Sam Forstag, smokejumper and union leader, won Montana’s Democratic primary and will run in the November general election after Elon Musk’s cuts eliminated a quarter of the U.S. Forest Service staff.
Endorsed by progressive lawmakers, he accused Rep. Ryan Zinke of ignoring the layoffs at a Missoula rally, pledging to defend union jobs.
Earlier polls showed most voters were unfamiliar with Forstag and gave gun-control advocate Ryan Busse a lead.