Current Position: US Representative of MT-01 since 2023
Affiliation: Republican
Former Positions:  United States secretary of the interior under president Donald Trump 2017 to 2019
District:   western third of the state
Upcoming Election:

Zinke served in the Montana Senate from 2009 to 2013 and as the U.S. representative for the at-large congressional district from 2015 to 2017. He served as the United States secretary of the interior under president Donald Trump from 2017 until his resignation in 2019 following a series of ethical scandals.

Zinke graduated from multiple colleges before he was a U.S. Navy SEAL from 1986 until 2008, retiring as a commander. In 2005, Zinke formed Continental Divide International, a property management and business development consulting company. His family members are officers of the company. In 2009, Zinke formed the consulting company On Point Montana.

Troy Bryan Downing is an American politician and businessman serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Montana’s 2nd congressional district since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously held the office of Montana state auditor from 2021 to 2025.

Downing ran for the United States Senate in 2018, but placed third in the Republican primary, behind then-state auditor Matt Rosendale and Yellowstone County District Judge Russell Fagg. In 2020, Downing ran for State Auditor of Montana to succeed Rosendale, who was running for the House of Representatives. He won the Republican nomination, defeating 2 other candidates, and defeated Democrat Shane Morigeau in the general election.

In 2024, instead of running for a second term, Downing instead ran for the House of Representatives, also to succeed Rosendale, who retired after 2 terms. He won the Republican nomination and defeated former state house speaker John Driscoll.