Summary
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.
OnAir Post: Troy Downing MT-02
About
Source: Campaign site
Republican combat veteran and businessman Troy Downing currently serves in one of the five elected statewide constitutional offices for the State of Montana. As Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, and Land Board Commissioner, Downing has defended state residents from fraud, worked to lower costs for families, taken on criminals preying on the vulnerable, and promoted economic development, while protecting the state’s natural resources.
As Montana State Auditor, Downing prosecuted criminals and protected our senior citizens, families, and veterans. As a member of the Board of Land Commissioners, Downing has voted to increase access to public lands and promote agriculture and natural resource development by approving timber sales, oil and gas leases, and agriculture projects that grow our economy and create high paying jobs. As Insurance Commissioner, Downing has helped industry thrive in Montana and has held companies accountable keeping rates down for Montana families.
A proud Montanan, Downing began his career in education as a research scientist and educator at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University (NYU). He left NYU to found a technology startup company that he successfully merged with Yahoo! Inc. in the 1990s. Downing went on to help other startup companies succeed through angel financing and mentorship. After his career in the tech industry, Downing founded a nationwide insurance company and a nationwide commercial real estate firm that creates, sells, and manages real estate investment securities.
Downing’s strong sense of public service led him to enlist after September 11th in the U.S. Air Force/Air National Guard, serving eight years in a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) squadron and two tours of duty in Afghanistan. The CSAR motto “these things we do, that others may live” resonates strongly with him. He was sent on multiple missions to rescue wounded soldiers on the battlefield. When Downing was not on alert or forward deployed “outside the wire,” he volunteered in the military hospital in Kandahar as well as on outreach missions in Afghanistan.
Today, he continues his service to fellow veterans as a volunteer, donor, and supporter of several Montana based veteran organizations. Downing is also a proud active lifetime member of the Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Montana American Legion.
Troy Downing and his wife, Heather, have four grown children and live in Helena, Montana.
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Wikipedia
Troy Bryan Downing[1] (born March 4, 1967)[2] 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.[3] 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.
Early life and education
Downing was born in Indio, California.[4] He studied applied mathematics and computer science at New York University.[5][6]
Career
Downing was a research scientist and educator at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University.[3] After leaving college, Downing founded WebCal, a web calendar company that was later acquired by Yahoo!.[7] Downing later founded a nationwide commercial insurance company and a real estate firm.[3] He enlisted in the United States Air Force after the September 11 attacks and was assigned to a combat search and rescue squadron.[3] During his service, Downing worked as a flight engineer and was deployed to Afghanistan twice.[8][9] He is the founder and former CEO of AC Self Storage Solutions, a self-storage and real estate investment firm based in Carlsbad, California.[10]
Downing is the co-owner of Wildrye Distilling in Bozeman, Montana, which manufactured thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montana.[11]
Downing was a candidate in the 2018 United States Senate election in Montana, placing third in the Republican primary.[12]
Montana state auditor
During the 2020 Montana elections, Troy Downing defeated Scott Tuxbury and Nelly Nicol in the Republican primary for Montana state auditor.[13] On June 2, 2020, Downing became the Republican nominee, winning 55 of 56 counties and receiving 50% of the vote in the three-way primary.[13]
In the general election, Downing defeated state Senator Shane Morigeau.[13] He was sworn in as state auditor on January 4, 2020.[14]
U.S. House of Representatives
2024 election
In the June 4, 2024 primary, Downing won the eight-way contest to secure the Republican nomination for eastern Montana’s 2nd congressional district. He won the general election on November 5, 2024, defeating Democratic nominee John Driscoll.[15]
Personal life
Downing is a volunteer for the Warriors and Quiet Waters (WQW) Foundation.[3]
Downing built a vacation home in Big Sky, Montana, in 2000 and moved there full-time in 2009.[16]
In 2017, Downing was charged with hunting license violations.[17][18] He ultimately pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges, being ordered to pay a $2,110 fine and any court fees.[19] Downing and his wife, Heather, have four children.[3]
References
- ^ “Rep. Troy Downing – R Montana, 2nd – Biography”. LegiStorm. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
- ^ “Biographical information on Troy Downing”. AP NEWS. June 4, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f “Meet Troy Downing”. Troy Downing for Montana State Auditor. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ “Troy Downing, CEO, AC Self Storage Solutions, Big Sky, Mont. – Mini Storage Messenger”. www.ministoragemessenger.com. September 1, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
- ^ Lucas, David (September 1, 2017). “Troy Downing, CEO, AC Self Storage Solutions, Big Sky, Mont”. Mini Storage Messenger. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ “Biographical information on Troy Downing”. The Seattle Times. May 11, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
- ^ Meyer, Jon; Downing, Troy (1997). Java Virtual Machine. O’Reilly. ISBN 978-1-56592-194-8.
- ^ “Troy Downing”. Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Aadl, Chris (November 4, 2020). “Downing wins election as state auditor”. Montana Free Press. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Alexander Harris (May 30, 2017). “Exclusive: Downing eyes move from self-storage to the U.S. Senate”. The SpareFoot Storage Beat. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ “From spirits to hand sanitizer: Bozeman distillery helping meet supply needs for first responders”. KBZK News. March 24, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ Rogers, Rob (October 22, 2020). “Divorce and old threats emerge in state auditor race”. The Billings Gazette. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c “Troy Downing”. Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ “DOWNING SWORN IN AS COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES AND INSURANCE”. EIN News. January 4, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
- ^ Williams, Patrick. “Troy Downing wins U.S. House race for eastern district”. Yellowstone Public Radio. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ “Troy Downing enters 2020 state auditor race”. KBZK. June 26, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2020.ROGERS, ROB (November 4, 2020). “Downing enjoys comfortable lead in state auditor race”. Montana Standard. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ Blois, Matt (September 29, 2017). “Candidate Troy Downing Charged With Hunting License Violations”. www.mtpr.org. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ “Where are the Montana Republicans?”. Flathead Beacon. September 21, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ “Downing sentenced for hunting violations, loses privileges for 18 months”. Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
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