US EditionAffordability, AI, Public Lands: Western Montana Congressional Democrats Debate in Butte
Western Montana Democrats hold multiple forums to discuss policy priorities including climate, taxation, and affordability, with about 300 attendees at a recent Whitefish event.
- On March 10, 2026, four Democratic candidates—Ryan Busse, Russell Cleveland, Matt Rains and Sam Forstag—debated at the Motherlode Theater in Butte.
- The candidates pitched core priorities to voters, using forums to stress housing and health-care access while aiming to win back the U.S. House of Representatives in Montana's western congressional district.
- About 300 people attended a Whitefish forum at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, while Busse highlighted his children’s role in a climate lawsuit and Cleveland shared his family’s medical hardships, including $300,000 in cancer treatment costs.
- Organizers have scheduled a half-dozen additional forums through early May, extending the campaign circuit after the Mullen Newspaper Company forum at 6 p.m. tonight at the Motherlode Theater, Butte.
- On infrastructure, candidates warned about data centers' impacts, urging stricter laws over power and water use, as Democrats aim to 'take back the House'.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Montana Standard
Affordability, AI, public lands: Western Montana congressional democrats debate in Butte
Before a mostly friendly crowd in Butte, Democratic candidates for Montana's western congressional district tried to create some daylight between their campaigns without attacking one another.
At Butte debate, candidates make pitch to challenge GOP
Montana western congressional district candidates (from left to right), Russell Cleveland, Ryan Busse, Matt Rains and Sam Forstag sit during a debate on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Motherlode Theater in Butte, MT. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)BUTTE — Montana Democrats gathered in the Motherlode Theater in Butte on Tuesday night for the first debate among the party’s four primary contenders for the state’s western district congressional sea…
ABC FOX Montana
KULR-TVDifferent Dems? At Butte debate, candidates make pitch to challenge GOP
BUTTE — Montana Democrats gathered in the Motherlode Theater in Butte on Tuesday night for the first debate among the party’s four primary contenders for the state’s western district congressional seat. More than 100 people attended Tuesday’s debate, which came…
Democratic candidates talk housing, healthcare and other issues in Butte primary debate
BUTTE The four Democratic candidates running for Montana First Congressional District seat finished their primary debate here on the Mother Lode Theater stage Tuesday evening, they talked about a myriad of issues, but one thing they agreed on: they need to take back the House of Representatives.It was a friendly atmosphere between the Democratic candidates Ryan Busse, Russ Cleveland, Sam Forstag, and Matt Rains, who hope to take the place of Rep…
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