FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: press@busseformontana.com
KALISPELL, MONTANA — In a powerful show of early strength, Ryan Busse’s campaign for Congress in Montana’s First District today announces it has raised $525,000 since launching on January 8, 2026, a significant first-quarter fundraising haul that underscores surging momentum and rapidly consolidating support behind his candidacy.
The campaign also reports more than $350,000 cash on hand, giving Busse a strong financial foundation to compete aggressively through the primary and into the general election.
The campaign’s first-quarter fundraising includes:
- Over 10,000 contributions
- $51 average contribution
- 95% of contributions are $100 or less
This milestone builds on what early independent polling has already shown: Ryan Busse is the candidate best positioned to win this primary and has the financial strength to carry that momentum into November. Coupled with the race now being an open seat after Ryan Zinke’s departure earlier this month, this fundraising haul underscores Busse’s viability heading into November.
“Montanans are ready for new leadership, and this outpouring of support makes it clear that our campaign is building the coalition needed to win,” said Busse. “We’re bringing together people from across the district who want to lower costs, protect our public lands, and restore accountability, and we’re just getting started.”
“This is a major early benchmark, and it reflects exactly what we’re seeing on the ground,” said Campaign Manager Alice Collins. “Grassroots support is consolidating behind Ryan as the strongest and most viable candidate in this race. He is the candidate who can win both the primary and the general election.”
Busse, a longtime Flathead Valley resident, former firearms executive, and 2024 Democratic nominee for governor, is running on a platform focused on lowering costs for working families, expanding access to healthcare, defending personal freedoms, protecting public lands, and restoring accountability in Washington.
