Elections 2026
Democracy doesn't rest on just your vote, it requires your sustained commitment to act.
General Election Endorsements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2026
Indivisible Missoula Endorses Sam Forstag for Congress
Missoula, MT—Indivisible Missoula's membership has voted to endorse Sam Forstag, the Democratic nominee for Montana's First Congressional District, in this November's general election.
"Sam Forstag is exactly the kind of representative Montana needs right now — someone who has lived the affordability crisis so many of us are facing, and who's ready to fight the corruption that caused it. His candidacy reflects what our members care about most: tax fairness, affordable housing and healthcare, a livable climate, and a government that answers to people instead of corporations. We're proud to stand behind him."
Sam grew up watching his mother pick up extra nursing shifts and his father work toward a teaching certificate just to keep the family afloat, and he worked several jobs at once to put himself through the University of Montana. After graduating, he spent eight years fighting wildfires, four of them as a smokejumper parachuting into remote country to knock down fires before they could spread. In the off-seasons, he organized across Montana on behalf of public schools, libraries, housing, and civil liberties. In 2025, he was elected Vice President of his union local, representing nearly 800 Forest Service employees, where he helped organize resistance to DOGE's attempted cuts to public lands jobs.
That background shows up directly in his policy agenda. Sam wants a 30 percent minimum tax on income above $1 million, a corporate tax rate of at least 35 percent, and an end to the capital gains loophole that lets the wealthiest Americans pay a lower rate than working people. He's refusing money from corporate PACs, AIPAC, and dark money groups entirely, and he's pushing Congress to overturn Citizens United, ban super PACs, and stop members of Congress from trading stocks or cashing in as lobbyists once they leave office. He's demanding accountability for ICE, calling for criminal prosecution and congressional investigations for anyone in the chain of command who violated the law and people’s basic rights during enforcement or detention. And he's committed to expanding Medicare, investing in deed-restricted and community-owned housing, and funding universal childcare and pre-K so Montana families can get ahead instead of just getting by.
Few congressional races in the country carry higher stakes this cycle. Ryan Zinke's retirement opened this seat for the first time since its creation, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has named it a "District in Play" for 2026. Sam Forstag will face Republican Aaron Flint, a conservative radio host endorsed by President Trump, in November. He's already drawn support from a number of labor organizations and current and former elected officials.
Indivisible Missoula members will be organizing weekend canvasses and phone banks to help carry Sam's campaign across the district between now and Election Day.
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About Indivisible Missoula: Indivisible Missoula is part of a nationwide grassroots movement of millions of everyday people organized at the local level to defend democracy, fight back against authoritarianism, and build a political system that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. Our priorities include ending dark money's grip on Montana politics, defending a fair and independent judiciary, and protecting free and fair elections.
Endorsements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2026
Indivisible Missoula Endorses Russell Cleveland for Congress
Missoula, MT--Indivisible Missoula issued the following statement announcing its endorsement of Russell Cleveland, a Democrat running for Montana’s First Congressional District.
“We are proud to support Russell Cleveland in his campaign to represent the people of the First Congressional District. Russ will be a champion for all Montanans in the district and exemplifies Indivisible Missoula’s values: tax fairness, affordability for all and environmental protection. He is committed to rebuilding our democracy, defending our freedoms, and holding the Trump administration accountable.”
“Raised in Stevensville, Russell Cleveland is a U.S. Navy veteran, a high school football coach, and an entrepreneur who founded and ran a successful child care company. Russ has traveled the district for more than a year, listening to voters in communities of all sizes about what matters to them. He’s got bold ideas for how to make our government work for everyone, not just the ultra wealthy. We’ve been impressed with his depth of knowledge on how public policy impacts real families, and by his clear passion for helping our community thrive.”
“Russell Cleveland’s platform resonates with us and fits with the values that matter to us. His key priorities are improving healthcare by enacting Medicare for All, lowering drug prices, strengthening rural clinics and funding cancer research; ending DC corruption by refusing corporate PAC money and banning dark money; investing in communities through universal child care, universal Pre-K, and ensuring our veterans receive the care they deserve.”
“Montana's First Congressional District is already on the national radar — the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has included it on its official list of "Districts in Play" for 2026. With Ryan Zinke's retirement, this is an open seat for the first time since the district was created, and an opportunity Democrats cannot afford to miss. We need to elect pro-democracy candidates who are willing and able to fight like our nation’s future depends on it, because it does. To win this seat, we need a candidate who can inspire a broad coalition of voters from every corner of our district. We believe Russell Cleveland has the vision it takes to be that candidate. Indivisible Missoula is ready to help mobilize this district and do the work to send him to Congress.”
Russell Cleveland responded to the endorsement: “I’m incredibly grateful to earn the endorsement of Indivisible Missoula. My campaign has never been about politics as usual, it’s about people stepping up, speaking out, and taking ownership of our future. Together, we’re proving that when a campaign truly belongs to the people, it becomes something powerful enough to change everything.”
To earn Indivisible Missoula’s first-ever endorsement, Russell Cleveland participated in a candidate forum and members were presented with his policy positions on a wide range of issues. Russell ultimately earned 63.6 percent of the vote in a ranked-choice voting system.
Indivisible Missoula members will be launching weekend canvasses for Russell and will be organizing evening phone banks with the goal of reaching out to voters in the district.
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About Indivisible Missoula: Indivisible Missoula is part of a nationwide grassroots movement of millions of everyday people organized at the local level to defend democracy. We fight back against authoritarianism and demand a political system that works for all of us. We're focused on dismantling the Trump administration, getting dark money out of Montana politics, protecting a nonpartisan judiciary, and keeping our elections free and fair.
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