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A graphic titled "U.S. Senate Debate" shows headshots of Montana Senate candidates Alani Bankhead, Kurt Alme, Kyle Austin and Seth Bodnar. Text on the graphic says the debate is scheduled for October 11, 2026 at 10 a.m. and people can watch on Montana PBS or listen on Montana Public Radio.
Montana Public Radio
U.S. Senate Debate
U.S. Senate candidates Kurt Alme, Kyle Austin, Alani Bankhead, and Seth Bodnar meet to debate the issues most important to Montanans. Watch or listen live, Sunday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m.
Campaign Beat
Montana News
Campaign Beat: Ballots, birth dates and betting on Trump
Clayton Murphy, Rob Saldin, Seaborn Larson
Candidates for Montana's western district U.S. House seat, Republican Aaron Flint (left) and Democrat Sam Forstag (right).
Montana Public Radio (Flint); Forstag campaign (Forstag).
Montana News
Western district House candidates say affordability is their top concern
Clayton Murphy
  • Campaign Beat
    Montana News
    Campaign Beat: New polling, new ads, new challenges
    Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Seaborn Larson
    Recent polls show the Republican ahead in Montana's Senate race, and the Democrat and Republican in the western district House race in a virtual tie. Democratic Senate candidate Alani Bankhead tries to address concerns about her past ties to a Conservative Megachurch. New ads in the House race focus on health care and culture wars. And upcoming debates could tip the scales in the congressional contests.
More 2026 election profiles
Candidates for Montana's western district U.S. House seat, Republican Aaron Flint (left) and Democrat Sam Forstag (right).
Western district House candidates say affordability is their top concern
The race for Montana’s western district House seat is tight. Recent polls show the two major candidates are tied with no clear lead. MTPR’s Clayton Murphy has this profile of the Democrat and Republican competing for the seat.
Montana Supreme Court candidates Dan Wilson (Left) and Amy Eddy (right).
Supreme Court candidates differ on partisanship, constitutional interpretation
Two judges from the same court are competing for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court. The justices spoke to MTPR’s Clayton Murphy about partisanship, restraint and what they would bring to the bench.
A gavel and scale of justice.
CI-132: Montana voters will issue a verdict on partisan judicial elections
Montana’s judicial elections are nonpartisan. An initiative to permanently keep it that way will appear on November’s ballot. Republican state legislators have tried unsuccessfully to make judicial elections partisan during recent legislative sessions.
HD2 Candidates (Top L to R) Michael Eisenhauer, Patrick McCracken, Brian Miller (bottom) Troy Downing,
Republican incumbent faces three challengers to represent eastern Montana in the U.S. House
It's been more than thirty years since Montanans elected a non-GOP candidate to the U.S. House of Representatives, and this year a Democrat, an Independent and a Libertarian are betting on a change.
BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR INITIATIVE NO. 194 (I-194) INITIATIVE NO. 194 A LAW PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION I-194, if passed, limits the powers of artificial persons to those powers necessary or convenient as provided by law. These powers must exclude contributing anything of value to candidate elections, supporting or opposing political parties, or supporting or opposing state or local ballot issues. Artificial persons include non-profits, trusts, partnerships, corporations, trade associations, or unincorporated associations and includes all such entities doing business in Montana. Any violation of I-194 is punished by forfeiting all privileges to do business in Montana. Those privileges may be, but are not automatically, restored upon disgorgement and certification of compliance with I-194. I-194 does not apply to the distribution of news, commentary, or editorial content. I-194 also does not apply to the state of Montana, political subdivisions, individuals, political committees, or public corporations.
'Montana Plan' ballot initiative aims to end dark money spending in Montana 
Elections have consistently broken spending records in the state in recent years, largely due to corporate money. A ballot measure known as the Montana Plan aims to eliminate that kind of spending in Montana, sidestepping a controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling. That would make the state a national legal test case.
Montana Public Service Commission logo shows an illustration of the sun rising over mountains next to a dam and reservoir. Power line poles stretch across the image foreground. The words "Public Service Commission" And "State of Montana" appear on the margins of the logo, along with the state motto, "Oro y Plata."
PSC District 1 candidates campaign on energy costs, data centers and transparency
Two candidates are vying for the open District 1 seat on the Public Service Commission. This district is the biggest in the state by land and covers much of eastern Montana, from the Rocky Boy’s Reservation to Glendive and Miles City. MTPR’s Clayton Murphy speaks with Keila Szpaller, deputy editor of the Daily Montanan, about the race and what this election may mean for Montanans.
Montana Public Service Commission logo shows an illustration of the sun rising over mountains next to a dam and reservoir. Power line poles stretch across the image foreground. The words "Public Service Commission" And "State of Montana" appear on the margins of the logo, along with the state motto, "Oro y Plata."
PSC District 5 race highlights competing views on the role of utility regulators 
The Public Service Commission’s District 5 seat is up for election. Voters from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation to Helena and parts of Missoula will get to choose who represents them on the board. MTPR’s Clayton Murphy talks with Deputy Editor of the Daily Montanan Keila Szpaller about who’s running and what the race could mean for voters.
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Montana Public Radio's weekly political analysis program.

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