State Sen. Windy Boy drops out of U.S. House race amid allegations of sexual abuse, Dems say

Montana state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy is dropping out of the race for the 2nd Congressional District and has been asked to resign from his position in the Legislature due to allegations of sexual abuse, according to the chairwoman of the Montana Democratic Party.

Montana Democratic Party Chair Shannon O’Brien would not disclose details about allegations, including when the alleged abuse took place.

Windy Boy, who’s served in the Montana Legislature for 26 years, could not be reached for comment by text or voicemail Thursday morning.

In a statement on Thursday, O’Brien said Windy Boy had notified her that he will drop out.

“I am deeply troubled to learn about allegations of serious sexual abuse against Mr. Windy Boy,” O’Brien said. “Montana Democrats have made it a point to stand with and fight for survivors — today is no different. We also call on Jonathan Windy Boy to resign his position in the Montana State Senate.”

She said she was withholding information about the allegations out of respect for victims.

“I want it to be clear to all Montanans: Democrat or not, Windy Boy should be investigated and held accountable, as should anyone else with allegations of this nature,” O’Brien continued. 

Windy Boy was running against Brian Miller, a Helena attorney, and Sam Lux, a Great Falls farrier in the June 2 primary.

Sen. Pat Flowers, the Democratic minority leader, told the Daily Montanan he had spoken to Windy Boy and asked for his resignation.

“The right thing for the state and for Sen. Windy Boy’s constituents is for him to resign his seat in the Montana State Senate,” Flowers said in a statement.

He also did not provide additional details about the alleged abuse.

Windy Boy does not appear to be facing charges in Hill County or Lewis and Clark County, according to information available in the district courts web portal.

Reporting by The Associated Press shows that in 2018, a female legislator filed a harassment complaint against then-Rep. Windy Boy, and an investigation report released by the Legislative Services Division substantiated the claims that Windy Boy had sent a female lawmaker harassing text messages in 2017. Windy Boy stepped down as chairman of the State-Tribal Relations Committee before he could be stripped of his position, The Associated Press reported.

At the time, Windy Boy said he was disappointed at being identified but did not address the allegations.

Windy Boy is one of the longest-serving members of the Legislature, and was named “Dean of the Senate” at the end of the 2025 session for his tenure.