Miller wins Democratic primary, heads into deep red eastern congressional district

The Associated Press on Tuesday declared Helena attorney Brian Miller the winner of the Democratic primary in the race to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Troy Downing in the eastern congressional district.

Democratic primary results:

• Sam Lux: 27% (11,465 votes)
• Brian Miller: 56% (23,458 votes) 
• Jonathan Windy Boy: 16% (7,178 votes) 

Republican primary result:

• Troy Downing: 100% (79,340 votes)

In a call at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Miller said voters will have to decide between a multimillionaire living in Big Sky and him, a "regular middle-class guy from Helena" in the coming months.

"People are struggling with higher fuel costs, health care, and I think voters are just going to have to decide if they think that someone who's a multimillionaire, whose real house is actually not in the district, is somebody that's going to represent them on those issues," Miller said.

Initially having more name recognition among the candidates, Windy Boy suspended his campaign on April 16 following allegations of sexual abuse referenced by the Montana Democratic Party. Then, three weeks later, he reentered the race, denying the allegations. A supermajority of state senators have called for the long-serving legislator to resign his seat. The state Democratic Party encouraged voters to either support Lux or Miller, but not Windy Boy.

Miller and Lux were influential in helping bring the allegations to the Montana Democratic Party and the public while on the campaign trail, with Miller representing one of the abuse victims currently.

The two candidates became close friends after meeting in Great Falls last summer, with both of them tending to agree with each other on the debate stage, far more than any disagreements.

They also drove to campaign events together and hosted an election watch party together in Great Falls Tuesday night. A poster for the party stated: “We started this campaign working together and we’re ending it the same way.”

In a statement the morning after the race was declared for Miller, Lux said he was proud of the race he ran and "happy for my friend Brian."

"Today I'm going catch up on some work, because win or lose, horses still need shoes," Lux said. "Tomorrow, I'll be sitting down with Brian to discuss how we can keep working together and get him to D.C."

Lux signed off by saying "the race is far from over!"

The two candidates' strongest difference emerged not in policy, but in approach. Miller never hesitated to critique Downing repeatedly on social media and emphasized the need to unseat him as a way to halt Trump’s actions. He posted frequently on social media about ongoing news items like the Iran War which he opposed.

Lux, who ran under a slogan of “working for the working class,” focused on addressing affordability, healthcare reform and acting as a check on President Donald Trump. Lux preferred not to mention his Republican opponent by name.

Miller now faces Downing, who won in the 2nd Congressional District in 2024. The Representative who is endorsed by Trump, won with nearly 66% of the vote last time in the area that covers Billings, Great Falls and Helena.

After the results, Downing thanked every voter who participated and expressed support for the Republican winners of Montana's other federal primaries, Kurt Alme and Aaron Flint.

"Now, the real work begins," Downing said. "We are focused on earning the trust of voters, fighting for the values that make Montana strong, and sending proud conservative leaders to Washington this November."

Likely adding to the challenges a Democrat will face in the district is independent candidate Mike Eisenhauer of Great Falls appearing on the ballot this November. The last time an independent ran in the district was in 2022 with Gary Buchanan receiving around 22% of the vote and outperforming Democrat Penny Ronning. Nonetheless, Republican Matt Rosendale won with a majority of the vote that year.

Miller will need to make a significant splash in a district considered solidly red by the Cook Political Report. A Montana Free Press-Eagleton poll conducted from late April to early March showed that both Miller and Lux were relatively unknown, with 2 in 3 voters polled saying they didn’t know the political newcomers. Fundraising has been meager when compared to Downing's recent numbers.

Lux had a slightly higher favorability rating in the poll, though it had a margin of error of 5.9%. Still, that same poll found Downing with an approval rating of 34% and a 40% disapproval rating.