Sam Forstag

Sam Forstag is a Missoula smokejumper and Forest Service union leader who won the June 2 Democratic primary for the open seat Rep. Ryan Zinke is leaving. The Cook Political Report moved the race to toss-up in mid-October, and the polls I saw show a close contest with Republican Aaron Flint.

On the ballot against Aaron Flint (R)

Why it matters: Zinke is retiring, so the seat is open and rated a toss-up, in a district Trump won by 11 points in 2024, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats to win the House majority.

Campaign site Your voting plan

The race at a glance

Race ratingToss-upCook Political Report, Oct 26 source

Polling average (2 polls) Forstag 47.5% 46% Flint 7% undecided or other Forstag +1.5▲ 2.5 this weekSep 14Oct 22Most recent poll from each pollster, Sep 28 to Oct 22. Checked 7 min ago. Every poll

Every poll in this race

Pollster	Date	Sample	Forstag	Flint	Margin
Emerson College	Oct 22	329 LV	50%	46%	D +4
American Pulse	Sep 28	314 LV	45%	46%	R +1
Rutgers-Eagleton	Sep 14	375 RV · Margin of error ±6%	41%	42%	R +1

LV = likely voters, RV = registered voters. Polls listed by 270toWin. Each pollster name links to its own release.

In Sam's own words

**Sam Forstag**, Said at the Oct. 13 debate with Aaron Flint, as reported by the Daily Montanan., Oct 13 source

Where Sam stands

Health care: He proposes a public option to join Medicare that is free for working people, expanded Medicare benefits such as dental, vision and hearing, and Medicare negotiation of drug prices. source
Housing: He wants federal investment in affordable housing, zoning reform, and a ban on hedge funds and private equity buying homes. source
Money in politics: He supports overturning Citizens United, a congressional stock trading ban, and a lobbying ban for former members. source
Public lands and wildfire: He wants restored staffing at land agencies, more forest management and wildfire mitigation, and modernized timber mills. source
Social Security and taxes: He would eliminate the Social Security payroll tax cap and repeal tax cuts for the wealthiest, including a 5% billionaire tax. source

The record

Worked about eight years as a wildland firefighter, four of them as a smokejumper, after graduating from the University of Montana, where he was student body president.
Is vice president of NFFE Local 60, which represents about 800 U.S. Forest Service workers.
Worked as an organizer and a registered state lobbyist for the Montana ACLU and for Central House Strategies, whose clients included the cities of Missoula and Bozeman.

Endorsed by

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Former Sen. Jon Tester DCCC Red to Blue program

Sam Forstag. Photo: Conorhogan16, CC0

Profile sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Race data checked Monday, October 26, 2026. Quotes on this page were matched word for word against their sources.