Montana Politicians Start 2026 Campaigns with Big Cash Advantage

Sen. Steve Daines begins the year with nearly five million dollars ready for use, while Rep. Ryan Zinke has close to three million in hand. Together they hold a comfortable lead over their Democratic opponents, who collectively have just about one‑hundred twenty‑nine thousand dollars. Daines’ 2025 filings show he gathered roughly four‑and‑a‑half million dollars, bringing his total for the 2026 cycle to eight‑one million. About one‑million two‑hundred thousand came from committee contributions, and another one‑million seven‑thousand from authorized transfers. He spent about a million dollars in 2025 on his campaign. Zinke’s receipts hit four‑one million last year, with a quarter of that from authorized transfers. He spent around two million and ended 2024 with roughly six‑hundred eighty thousand dollars left. On the Democratic side, Russ Cleveland tops fundraising for Montana House District 1 with nearly two‑hundred thousand dollars, spending about one‑fifty‑eight thousand and keeping around forty‑eight thousand in reserve. Matt Rains, also running for the same seat, collected about one‑hundred fourteen thousand dollars and holds forty‑six thousand in reserves.Missoula’s Sam Forstag and former governor‑candidate Ryan Busse joined the Democratic field in January 2026. They will file their first financial reports with the FEC in April. In the Senate race, six challengers have filed against Daines, including five Democrats and one Republican. Former state lawmaker Reilly Neill raised about one‑hundred forty‑seven thousand dollars and spent roughly one‑hundred thirty‑six thousand, making her the top fundraiser and spender after Daines. Both contests fall short of the massive spending seen in 2024’s battle between Jon Tester and Sen. Tim Sheehy. In the last quarter of 2023 alone, Tester spent seven‑one million and Sheehy two‑three million. Total campaign spending topped one‑hundred twenty‑six million dollars by Election Day, with outside groups contributing an additional one‑sixty‑two million, marking the most expensive race in state history.