Montana voters are casting ballots Tuesday in a pair of House primaries that will set the field for the 2026 general election, with one open seat drawing national attention. Polls close at 10 p.m. Eastern, and Decision Desk HQ is tracking live results.
The 1st Congressional District is up for grabs after Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke announced his retirement this cycle, leaving the seat vacant in a district that leans red but has Democrats eyeing a potential pickup. The GOP primary field includes several candidates vying to hold the seat, while Democrats see an opportunity to flip it in a year when the political landscape could shift.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Republican Rep. Troy Downing is seeking reelection. Downing, who won the seat in 2024, faces primary challengers but is widely expected to advance to the general election. The district covers eastern Montana and is solidly Republican, making Downing the heavy favorite.
The open 1st District race has drawn particular interest because of its competitiveness. While the district has a Republican lean, Democrats argue that Zinke's retirement and national trends could give them a fighting chance. The primary outcomes will determine which candidates emerge to make their case to voters in November.
These primaries are part of a broader slate of contests across several states Tuesday, including key races in South Dakota, Iowa, and California. For a full rundown of tonight's primaries, see The Hill's Decision Desk 2026: Live Primary Results from Six States Tonight.
In South Dakota, the House seat is also open as Rep. Dusty Johnson runs for governor, with Attorney General Marty Jackley leading the GOP primary. More details are available in this report on the open seat and Jackley's lead.
Montana's primaries come amid a heated national political environment, with control of the House at stake in 2026. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority, and every competitive seat matters. The 1st District race could be one of the most watched in the country if Democrats nominate a strong candidate.
In the Montana Senate primary, former President Donald Trump's endorsed candidate, Tim Sheehy, is leading the GOP field to replace retiring Sen. Steve Daines. That race has also drawn significant attention, as covered in this analysis of the Trump-backed front-runner.
As results come in, political observers will be watching for turnout patterns and candidate performance that could signal general election dynamics. The primaries are the first step in what promises to be a hard-fought campaign season in Montana.
