Sam Forstag wins Democratic primary in Montana's 1st Congressional District, CBS News projects
CBS News projects Sam Forstag won Montana's 1st District Democratic primary. He will face a likely Republican race for an open House seat in November.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Sam Forstag, a smokejumper and union leader, won the Democratic primary in Montana's 1st Congressional District as Democrats try to make the open seat competitive in November. The district is still rated likely Republican, but party allies see a path if Forstag can turn out working-class and younger voters.
Sam Forstag won the first round of voting for a Montana House seat. Now he has to beat the Republican candidate in November, like winning a local race before the big championship game.
Analysis
Primary result
CBS News projects that Democrat Sam Forstag won the Democratic primary in Montana's 1st Congressional District on Tuesday. He now advances to the general election for an open House seat.
What the race looks like
The Cook Political Report rates the district as likely Republican, but Democrats are still hoping to contest it in November. The seat is open because Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke announced his retirement in early March, saying health issues tied to his Navy SEAL service were the reason. Zinke had represented Montana in Congress beginning in 2015, later left to lead the Interior Department during Trump's first term, and resigned from that Cabinet post amid ethics investigations.
Why Forstag's candidacy stands out
Forstag is a smokejumper and union leader. He received backing from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the American Federation of Government Employees also endorsed him. Ocasio-Cortez campaigned with him in Missoula during the final days of the primary.
Forstag's argument is built around working people and younger voters. In an interview earlier this year, he said Democrats need to win back union members and young people who feel shut out of homeownership in Western Montana.
The larger stakes
If Forstag were to win in November, it would be the first time in 30 years that a Democrat has represented Montana in the House. That would not only flip a seat, but also give Democrats a symbolic win in a state where they have struggled to compete federally.
Key points
- CBS News projects Sam Forstag won the Democratic primary in Montana's 1st Congressional District.
- The House seat is open after Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke announced his retirement.
- The Cook Political Report rates the district as likely Republican, but Democrats think it can be competitive.
- Forstag is a smokejumper and union leader backed by Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and AFGE.
- A Democratic win in November would be the first in Montana's House delegation in 30 years.
If Forstag can carry the energy from the primary into November, Democrats could make the district competitive despite its Republican lean. A win would give Montana its first Democratic House member in 30 years and strengthen the party's effort to retake the House majority.
The district is still rated likely Republican, so Forstag faces an uphill climb in the general election. Zinke's recent victories there suggest Democrats will need broader support than they have had in past cycles to break through.
