Montana Free Press

Election 2026 Guide

Montana's candidates for state and federal office.

A digital project by |
Last update: Jun 15, 2026
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Kyle Austin
Montana Libertarian candidate
for U.S. Senate

Kyle Austin

Active candidates for U.S. Senate

Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian general election nominees were selected via the June 2, 2026, primary election. Independent candidates have submitted petition signatures in an attempt to qualify for the general election ballot. The secretary of state’s office certifies or denies independent candidacies for the November general election ballot this summer.

Republican

Libertarian

Independent

Campaign links

Webkyleaustinmt.com
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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.
Kyle Austin:

Yes, the War Powers Resolution of 1973 should be enforced. Under the resolution, the president has the authority to take immediate action with military force and must withdraw troop within 60 days if congress does not authorize further use of force. I do feel this is a great balance of power, and necessary for the United States to have the ability to quickly make decisions and mobilize our troops for the protection of our country.

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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?
Kyle Austin:

As a pharmacist for 18 years in Montana, I understand the issues we have with healthcare very well. I have a plan, called Healthcare 2.0, that will overhaul our entire healthcare system to eliminate wasted money, eliminate the insurance corruption, and eliminate the government overreach. Doing so will allow our healthcare to run effectively and efficiently. American citizens and small businesses will see affordable healthcare plans with no annual deductibles and lower monthly premiums. While providers will see better reimbursements and a future of prosperity. This can all be done without adding any additional costs to the taxpayers.

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

The first issue I would like to address as Montana’s next United States Senator would be to eliminate government overreach and wasteful spending. For example, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry currently receives $93 million dollars in federal funding and has also overtaxed small businesses in our state creating a trust fund of over $643 million dollars. This is unacceptable! I plan to cut the fat, deregulation businesses and lower taxes for everyone. The second issue is to revitalize our agriculture community’s. We need to 1. Overhaul and strengthen the United States Department of Agriculture. 2. Leave our farmers and ranches out of the trade wars. 3. Eliminate the corruption and fraud of the markets that leave our farmers and ranchers with the bottom dollar. 4. Redirect the wasteful spending into offering 0% financing through the USDA to our farmers and ranchers. 5. Assist and facilitate the construction of fertilizer production facilities so our farmers are no longer having to be dependent on importation.

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Identify options or strategies available to federal officeholders to address home ownership and cost of living in Montana.
Kyle Austin:

As a United States Senator, I would focus my efforts to help lowering the cost of living in Montana and home ownership in a few ways. 1. I would work on lowering the interest rates. 2. I would reduce the construction barriers that have been driving up the costs of construction. 3. I would promote zero tariffs so we can get construction supplies at a more affordable price. And 4. I would promote responsible logging and lumber mills to create jobs and resources right here in our great State of Montana.

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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.
Kyle Austin:

As a 4th generation Montanan, I am a very bold, highly education individual that does not back down from a fight. I stand my ground and often find creative solutions to problems nobody else has a vision for. My hard work and background as a farmer, pharmacist, and small business owner will not only impress the voters of Montana when I am in office, it will inspire my colleagues in Washington DC.

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MTFP COVERAGE OF Austin

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)
$2.1M
$1.1M
$964k
Kurt Alme (R)
thru 2026-05-13
$1.2M
$262k
$922k
Kyle Austin (L)
thru 2026-05-20
$262k
$234k
$29k
Alani Bankhead (D)
$24k
$11k
$14k
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.

Election outcomes

June 2 primary – Libertarian candidates
CandidateVotesPercentage
KYLE AUSTIN1,81953.3%
TOM JANDRON1,59246.7%
Count reported by Montana secretary of state as of Jun 12, 2026.

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.