FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2026

MCV endorses Sam Forstag for Montana’s First Congressional District

(HELENA, Mont.) — Today, Montana Conservation Voters (MCV) proudly announces its endorsement of Sam Forstag for Montana’s First Congressional District.

This endorsement highlights Forstag as the most dedicated conservation champion in the field. He has a proven record of fighting for Montana’s people and outdoor way of life as a wildland firefighter and as a union leader.

“Montana deserves a representative in Congress who won’t back down, one who knows public lands aren’t just lines on a map, but part of the tapestry that makes up life in the Last Best Place,” said MCV Action Fund Board Chair Jill Lombardi. “Sam is a candidate who knows what it takes to protect our lands and people. Whether it’s as a smokejumper on the front lines of a fire, or on stage at rallies and forums, Sam has shown he has the ability to stand up for all Montanans. We are proud to support him in the general election.”

In this time when Montana’s public lands are facing pressure from privatization and development, the leader in this First Congressional District seat must be a partner in conservation.

“I spent years defending Montana’s public lands, clean air, and clean water as a wildland firefighter. Now, I’m running for Congress to bring that fight to Washington, D.C,” Forstag said. “Montana Conservation Voters has been a leader in this fight for decades, and I’m proud to have their endorsement in this campaign to stand up to corporations that threaten our public lands and pocket books.”

Forstag brings a deep record of hands-on service to the race, having spent eight seasons as a wildland firefighter and the last two years as a dedicated union leader. When federal DOGE-led budget cuts threatened more than 300 Forest Service positions across Montana, Forstag organized community rallies, hosted public forums, and fought in court to protect workers with boots-on-the-ground who maintain our public trails and defend local communities from wildfire. His commitment to conservation is deeply rooted in labor solidarity. His platform champions decentralized clean energy development, such as community and rooftop solar, to lower utility costs for working families while maintaining strict legal protections for wildlife and our environment. This practical experience on the fireline and as a community organizer makes Forstag uniquely qualified to advocate for robust public land reinvestment and economic justice in Washington.

Montana Conservation Voters works to protect Montana’s natural resources and outdoor way of life while defending the democratic values that allow communities to shape their future. Endorsement decisions are made by MCV’s independent Political Action Committee, the MCV Action Fund.