Who Is Running in Montana Congressional District 2nd in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Troy Downing
(Incumbent)Economy
HighTroy Downing advocates for permanent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, aiming to keep more money with Montanans. He cosponsored the Death Tax Repeal Act to eliminate the estate tax, stating it unfairly penalizes families and jeopardizes family farms and small businesses. As a committee member, he worked to expand rural small business capital access, introducing the Federal Insurance Office Elimination Act and the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act. He also voted for bills like the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act.
Immigration
HighTroy Downing voted for a federal bill that aims to increase voter registration requirements, including requiring new voters to provide proof of citizenship and states to cross-check voter rolls with the Department of Homeland Security system. Downing stated his vote was to restore confidence in U.S. elections, which he believes has been eroded by systematic illegal immigration.
Healthcare
HighTroy Downing voted in favor of H.R. 6703 in 2025. He also strongly supports H.R. 5784, the AI-WISE Act, in 2026. This legislation aims to provide essential resources for small businesses to adopt AI capabilities for streamlined operations, including workforce recruitment and marketing.
Democratic Candidate
No Democratic candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Troy Downing |
|---|---|
| Economy | Troy Downing advocates for permanent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, aiming to keep more money with Montanans. He cosponsored the Death Tax Repeal Act to eliminate the estate tax, stating it unfairly penalizes families and jeopardizes family farms and small businesses. As a committee member, he worked to expand rural small business capital access, introducing the Federal Insurance Office Elimination Act and the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act. He also voted for bills like the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act. High |
| Immigration | Troy Downing voted for a federal bill that aims to increase voter registration requirements, including requiring new voters to provide proof of citizenship and states to cross-check voter rolls with the Department of Homeland Security system. Downing stated his vote was to restore confidence in U.S. elections, which he believes has been eroded by systematic illegal immigration. High |
| Healthcare | Troy Downing voted in favor of H.R. 6703 in 2025. He also strongly supports H.R. 5784, the AI-WISE Act, in 2026. This legislation aims to provide essential resources for small businesses to adopt AI capabilities for streamlined operations, including workforce recruitment and marketing. High |
| Climate & Energy | Troy Downing voted in favor of the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act, the Don't Mess With My Home Appliances Act, and the Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act. He voted against the ROTOR Act. Downing applauded the reversal of the Biden-era Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule, stating it "strangled American coal-fired energy" and threatened American energy independence and grid reliability. He introduced the COAL POWER Act to make the reversal permanent. High |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Troy Downing identifies as pro-life, stating that his personal experience with an unplanned pregnancy leads him to defend a child from conception. He introduced H.R. 7250, the Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act, to mandate all 50 states to report abortion data transparently, emphasizing that no life should be ignored. High |
| Foreign Policy | Research pending more substantial sources. High |
| Education | Troy Downing supports reduced federal overreach in education, advocating for state and local control, believing parents are best suited for educational choices. He voted for S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, to extend funding for rural schools. He also cosponsored the Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act and the Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools Act. High |
| Gun Policy | Troy Downing voted in favor of the FIREARM Act in 2025, which aims to provide firearm licensees with opportunities to correct statutory and regulatory violations. He has also sponsored the No User Fees for Gun Owners Act and the Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act. These actions reflect his support for measures that protect gun owners' rights. Medium |
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