Montana Free Press

Election 2026 Guide

Montana's candidates for state and federal office.

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Last update: Apr 29, 2026
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Charles Walking Child
Montana Republican candidate
for U.S. Senate

Charles Walking Child

Active candidates for U.S. Senate

Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian general election nominees will be selected via the June 2, 2026, primary election. Independent candidates are currently gathering signatures in an attempt to qualify for the general election ballot. Independent candidates do not participate in primary elections.

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ON THE ISSUES

The responses reproduced here were solicited from candidates via a written questionnaire conducted by Montana Free Press in March 2026. Responses were limited to 1,000 characters and have not been edited or fact-checked.

When a president deploys U.S. armed forces into combat for a month or longer without authorization, should the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which gives Congress the power to declare war, be enforced? If not, should the War Powers Resolution be revised, replaced, or discarded? Briefly explain your reasoning.
Charles Walking Child:

Yes, the War Powers Resolution of 1973 should be enforced when a president deploys U.S. armed forces into combat for a month or longer without congressional authorization.The Constitution is crystal clear: Article I, Section 8 gives Congress—not the president—the sole power to declare war. Our Founders designed it this way deliberately to prevent any one person from dragging America into endless, unnecessary conflicts that cost our sons and daughters their lives and drain our treasury. George Washington himself warned against foreign entanglements, and I look to his wisdom as a guiding principle.The War Powers Resolution was passed to reclaim that constitutional authority after presidents increasingly bypassed Congress in places like Vietnam. If a president sends troops into sustained combat without approval, Congress must enforce the law—demand withdrawal if unauthorized, or provide explicit authorization if the mission truly serves American interests.I would not support revising, replacing, or discarding the War Powers Resolution. It needs stronger enforcement, not weakening. Too many career politicians in Washington have let presidents—both parties—ignore it for decades, leading to disastrous, unconstitutional wars that never end and benefit foreign interests or defense contractors more than Montana families.As your Senator, I’ll fight to restore real congressional oversight: no more blank checks for endless wars, no more American blood spilled without the people's representatives voting yes. Montana's voice demands peace through strength, not endless intervention. America First means Congress reclaims its constitutional duty to protect our troops and our sovereignty.

Many of Montana's rural hospitals and clinics are facing financial stress because of low patient volume and tight budget margins. What, if anything, should Congress be doing to support Montana’s health care providers?
Charles Walking Child:

Congress has a vital role in supporting Montana’s rural hospitals and clinics, which are lifelines for our small towns, ranchers, farmers, veterans, and Native communities—folks who often face long drives just to get basic care.Montana's rural providers are squeezed by low patient volumes, rising costs, workforce shortages, and unfair reimbursement rates from big federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid. As your Senator, I’d fight for targeted, common-sense federal action that empowers local solutions rather than creating more bureaucracy or dependency.

Describe two issues unique to Montana that you intend to address. Explain how you’ll get the job done.
Charles Walking Child:

Responsible management of our federal public lands

The financial crisis facing our rural hospitals and clinics

These are Montana-specific fights that demand a Senator who knows our land, our people, and our values—not a career politician beholden to elites. I'll bring common-sense, America First solutions home: protecting families, tribes, small ag, and opportunity while restoring constitutional balance. Montana families first—always.

Identify options or strategies available to federal officeholders to address home ownership and cost of living in Montana.
Charles Walking Child:

As your next U.S. Senator, I will fight to make homeownership achievable again for Montana families, veterans, young people, and working Montanans who are being priced out by skyrocketing costs, low supply, and out-of-state pressures.

Slash federal red tape that drives up building costs

Lower everyday energy and living costs

Provide targeted tax relief and reduce demand pressure

Bring home infrastructure funding with local control

Briefly describe any traits and actions that would distinguish your service from that of the elected official who currently occupies the office you’re running for.
Charles Walking Child:

The current office holder is stepping down but these are the differences.

I am not a career politician. I am an independent, outsider voice rooted in real Montana life—no decades in D.C., no lifetime of establishment deals, no corporate PAC millions funding my campaign.Key distinctions in how I would serve:

Outsider independence vs. establishment ties

Montana-first pragmatism vs. partisan gridlock

Real-world experience vs. professional politics

Direct accountability vs. insulated tenure

The current officeholder represents Washington to Montana. I will represent Montana to Washington—fiercely, independently, and without apology.Montana families first. America First. Always.

MTFP COVERAGE OF Child

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Based on reporting required by the U.S. Federal Election Commission. See individual candidate committee pages on the FEC website or the FEC race summary page for more information.
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Remaining
Seth Bodnar (I)
$1.4M
$214k
$1.1M
Kurt Alme (R)
thru 2026-03-31
$925k
$16k
$909k
Kyle Austin (L)
thru 2026-03-31
$262k
$226k
$36k
Michael Black Wolf (D)
thru 2026-03-31
$26k
$26k
$528
Alani Bankhead (D)
$15k
$6k
$11k
Michael Hummert (D)
$11k
$3k
$9k
Charles Walking Child (R)
No FEC filings on record
$0
$0
$0
Christopher Kehoe (D)
No FEC filings on record
$0
$0
$0
Tom Jandron (L)
No FEC filings on record
$0
$0
$0
The FEC summary page may include candidates who did not file for the ballot in this race with the Montana Secretary of State. Additionally, some active candidates may not appear on this list because they are not required to file paperwork with the FEC until they raise or spend at least $5,000 on their campaigns.

About this project

This guide was produced by the Montana Free Press newsroom with production by Tom Lutey, Brad Tyer, Amanda Eggert, Reilly Parisot and Jacob Olness, web development by Jacob Olness, editing by Brad Tyer, and contributions from Mara Silvers, Zeke Lloyd and Stephanie Farmer. Contact Jacob Olness with questions, corrections or suggestions at jolness@montanafreepress.org.

Montana Free Press is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit, reader-supported news organization serving Montana. MTFP's donor base includes supporters from across Montana's political spectrum, including some Montanans who are candidates in this year's election. MTFP's major donors are listed here, and a current list of other supporters is available here. MTFP news decisions are made without donor involvement.

This material is available for republication by other media outlets under Montana Free Press' standard distribution terms.