Democrats running for US House meet in St. Regis forum

Three of the four Democratic candidates running to be the next representative from Montana's western district U.S. House seat spoke at a debate hosted by the Mineral County Democratic Central Committee Friday at the St. Regis Community Center.

Sam Forstag, Ryan Busse and Russell Cleveland spoke to approximately 35 people attending the event. Matt Rains was unable to attend, and Busse had to leave at the midway break to travel to a friend’s memorial.

The candidates agreed on many policy issues but argued they brought unique backgrounds and skills that would make them better legislators than their opponents in the primary. All three expressed optimism that the party nominee would be successful in the general election.

Busse, a longtime Flathead Valley resident, former firearms executive and 2024 Democratic nominee for governor, told the crowd he is running on a platform focused on lowering costs for working families, expanding access to healthcare, defending personal freedoms, protecting public lands and restoring accountability in Washington. He cited his history of fighting for Montana interests.

Russ Cleveland is a father, coach, finance professional, and childcare expert who grew up on a small farm in Stevensville. He said Friday that he is a proud U.S. Navy veteran who deeply values the oath he once took to defend our Constitution. 

He talked about how the loss of his oldest daughter, Madison, to leukemia at the age of 13 only hardened his dedication to a life of service to others. It was her passing, he said, that redefined the legacy he aims to leave behind to the next generation, including his six other children. He cited the diversity of his background from being raised in small town Montana to founding and running a successful corporation.

Sam Forstag, a smokejumper and union leader, said he is running to make sure working people have a voice in Congress. He was raised by a mom who picked up extra nursing shifts and a dad who became a public school teacher, and both made just enough to get by. Public services were vital to giving his family the help they needed to get on their feet. 

He told the audience he has spent the last decade organizing and advocating for public education, libraries, healthcare and constitutional freedoms between fire seasons. He said public access to forest lands is being undercut by the cuts to management agencies, with the aim of arguing public lands are mismanaged and need to be sold.

The nominee will be selected in the primary election on June 2.