
Charles Walking Child
Active candidates for U.S. Senate
Republicans
Libertarians
Independent
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
