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Polls Show Democrat Sam Forstag in Dead Heat

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 12:31 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Sam Forstag Runs

Candidate Sam Forstag, a Democrat, is running for Montana’s 1st congressional district House seat.
He previously worked as a smokejumper, earning $15 an hour with no health or retirement benefits.
Recent polls show Forstag in a dead-heat despite President Donald Trump’s 12-point 2022 district win.
He has endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Summary

Ryan Zinke Retires

Ryan Zinke faced 18 ethics complaints and a $30 million net-worth rise before retiring.
Zinke’s unexpected March retirement left the race open for conservative radio host Aaron Flint.
Forstag resigned from his federal firefighting job after the Agriculture Secretary’s office pressured his superiors.
Because federal employees cannot run for office, Forstag quit before announcing his candidacy.
He decided to run while driving his 1984 Toyota camper van to a lake in September.

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Sam Forstag Runs

Candidate Sam Forstag, a Democrat, is running for Montana’s 1st congressional district House seat.
He previously worked as a smokejumper, earning $15 an hour with no health or retirement benefits.
Recent polls show Forstag in a dead-heat despite President Donald Trump’s 12-point 2022 district win.
He has endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

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