Forward Montana is going on the road and we can’t wait to see you! The 2022 Congressional Primary Roadshow is coming to a community near you the week of May 2nd – we’ll start in MT01 (the new western district) and stop in Butte, Missoula, Kalispell, and Bozeman before heading to MT02 (the Eastern district) for a finale in Billings on May 8th.
We’ve invited all the candidates running in the congressional race (Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents) and they want to hear from you! Don’t miss this opportunity to ask your future congressperson your burning questions and ensure that you’re heading to the ballot box on June 7th ready with information to cast an informed vote in this important race!
Sponsor your local forum
We’re working with local committees to make sure candidates are addressing the needs of your community–we also hope to work with local businesses invested in their community to bring the event to life!
Sponsor your local candidate forum and in addition to making sure local voices are heard, you’ll get a publicity bump from Forward Montana’s statewide network and other benefits leading up to the event! Check out more details here or contact Margo at 406-490-4762 or margo@forwardmontana.org
Meet the candidates in attendance
Western district
Mitch Heuer (R)
Matt Jette (r)
Monica Tranel (D)
Tom Winter (D)
CANDIDATE FORUM LIVESTREAMS
Watch the Candidate Forums from the comfort of your own home! Check out the links below to access each live stream.
Butte
The live streamed event from Butte can be accessed from the link to the right.
Missoula
The live streamed event from Missoula can be accessed from the link to the right.
Kalispell
The live streamed event from Kalispell can be accessed from the link to the right.
bOZEMAN
The live streamed event from Bozeman can be accessed from the link to the right.
Billings
The live streamed event from Billings can be accessed from the link to the right.
FAQ’s
Why did Montana gain a new congressional district?
Following population increases that were reflected in the 2020 Census, Montana gained back a Congressional seat, creating the Western Congressional District. For thirty years, Montana had only one seat in Congress, after it was lost in 1990 due to changes in statewide population. Montana is the first state in United States history to gain back a lost seat in Congress!
What geographic areas do the districts cover?
MT 01 (western district) covers 15 counties in western Montana; including Missoula, Bozeman, Kalispell, Butte, Polson and Hamilton. MT 02 (eastern district) covers over 30 counties in the eastern portion of the state, including Helena, Billings and Great Falls. You can read more about how Montana gained a congressional seat back and see the map here.
Why is the congressional race important?
Prior to the addition of MT 01, our lone district in Montana disproportionately represented more people than any other district in the country. The new congressional seat means that all Montanas will have a more proportionally accurate vote in our elections. With this new ability to be heard and represented in electoral politics, Montanan’s are given the opportunity to have more control over policies that affect our everyday lives!
What is a congressperson responsible for?
Your representative in congress is tasked with making enormous decisions that impact your daily life. Much of the work of a congressional representative includes:
- Holding hearings
- Composing and authoring bills
- Developing & voting on legislation
- Appropriating the budget
- Attending to meetings
- Listening to concerns from constituents (like you!) and helping to solve important issues that impact our community
Being a member of congress requires a deep understanding of laws and how they impact people. This is a great short video that describes the ins & outs of being in congress.
Who’s running in these races?
Were all candidates invited to the forums?
Yes! All candidates were invited to the forum and some declined to attend or haven’t responded to our invitation yet.
How can I sponsor this event?
We’re working with local committees to make sure candidates are addressing the needs of your community–we also hope to work with local businesses invested in their community to bring the event to life!
Sponsor your local candidate forum and in addition to making sure local voices are heard, you’ll get a publicity bump from Forward Montana’s statewide network and other benefits leading up to the event! Check out more details here or contact Margo at 406-490-4762 or margo@forwardmontana.org