Montana’s congressional seat is supposed to belong to Montanans—not billionaire-backed super PACs, not Silicon Valley executives, not national consultants trying to engineer outcomes from thousands of miles away. When outside groups pour millions into a primary election, they are not doing it out of charity or patriotism. They are investing in influence.
That is what this is: an investment.
They openly say they are backing candidates who support their preferred AI agenda, oppose stronger state-level regulation, and will help push a federal framework favorable to the industry. In plain English, they want candidates who will vote in ways that protect their profits, expand their infrastructure, and keep government oversight on their terms.
And voters are supposed to pretend that’s normal?
Montana has real issues that deserve attention right now: housing affordability, land access, timber, energy reliability, inflation, veterans care, border security, water rights, agriculture, federal overreach, and preserving the freedoms that make this state unique. Yet outside donors are signaling that what matters most is artificial intelligence policy and data center expansion.
Why should Montana voters accept that our elections become a chessboard for corporate priorities?
This is especially troubling in a primary election. In many red districts, the Republican primary is effectively the real election. Whoever wins that race is likely headed to Congress. So when millions are dumped into a primary, it is not merely supporting a candidate—it is an attempt to choose the nominee before everyday voters can fairly weigh the options.
People love to say “it’s all legal.” Plenty of things can be legal and still be wrong.
If a national network of wealthy donors can parachute into Montana, flood the airwaves, dominate mailboxes, shape narratives, and boost one candidate because they expect alignment on tech policy, then local voters are right to question whose interests will come first once that person gets to Washington.
Will it be ranchers in eastern Montana?
Will it be loggers and mill workers?
Will it be small business owners drowning in costs?
Will it be families trying to keep their land?
Or will it be the people who wrote the biggest checks?
That is not an unfair question. It is the exact question voters should ask.
And let’s be honest: if this same thing were happening with some left-wing climate billionaire network or Wall Street donor class trying to buy a Montana race, conservatives would rightly be furious. The principle should not change just because the spending helps someone some people like.
Outside money is outside money. Influence is influence.
Montana has a long tradition of independence. We do not take kindly to outsiders telling us how to live, how to vote, how to use our land, or who should represent us. That spirit should apply here too.
If a candidate is truly strong, truly trusted, and truly connected to Montana values, then they should be able to win on the strength of their record, their message, and the support of Montanans—not because tech elites decided they were useful.
This election should be decided in diners, town halls, farms, union halls, VFW posts, churches, and communities across Montana.
Not in boardrooms.
Not in donor retreats.
Not in Silicon Valley strategy meetings.
Montana’s seat is not for sale.
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