Tulchin Research
40%30%20%10%0%
35%
Democrat
Ryan Busse
MT-01 Democratic nominee?
$102.1K
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleAuthor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age56 years old (Feb 17, 1970)
GenderMale
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LocationMontana
BackgroundAuthor
EducationBethany College (Lindsborg, Kansas) — BA, Political Science and History (1993)
Notable personal detailsRyan Dean Busse is a Montana-based author, former firearms industry executive, and Democratic political candidate. He worked at Kimber America from 1995 to 2020, including as vice president of sales, and later became a gun violence prevention advocate and senior advisor at GIFFORDS. He is the author of the 2021 memoir "Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America" and ran as the Democratic nominee for Montana governor in 2024. In 2026, he sought the Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Montana’s 1st congressional district.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgfec.govmtpr.orggiffords.orgbloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.comprojects.montanafreepress.orgmontanafreepress.orgdemocracydocket.comeenews.netapps.montanafreepress.orgbusseformontana.comdailymontanan.comdocquery.fec.govpoliticalpractices.mt.govreddit.commontanaindependentnews.comapnews.comdailyinterlake.commontanademocrats.orgktvh.comprospect.orgglasgowcourier.commtvoters.orgballotready.orglcv.orgfacebook.cominstagram.comflatheadbeacon.comkpax.comwsls.comwashingtonpost.comhuffpost.combozemandailychronicle.comnytimes.combigskychathouse.comnssf.orgfoxnews.comzinke.house.govdaines.senate.govhistory.house.govcongress.govjec.senate.govforeignaffairs.house.govcommerce.senate.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports tax changes that favor working Montanans over wealthy individuals and corporations, including closing loopholes that allow the wealthy to pay lower effective rates than workers. Proposes lowering residential property tax rates and cutting taxes for small businesses and family farms while opposing tax breaks for billionaires and corporate tax loopholes.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable health care, including reauthorizing/reauthorization of Medicaid expansion and opposing work requirements; emphasizes lowering prescription drug prices and expanding coverage to protect rural and Native communities. Advocates investing state resources in public health programs and holding drug companies accountable to reduce costs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate has not published a detailed immigration platform on his campaign site; public reporting shows he has criticized Republican handling of immigration and has framed border issues as a federal responsibility while also running an ad that implied criticism of migrants working for the governor. Available public statements and reporting are limited and send mixed signals rather than a clear progressive or enforcement-first policy prescription.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports a person’s right to choose and opposes government interference in reproductive healthcare. Backs a constitutional amendment/ballot initiative to protect abortion access and pledges to veto anti-abortion restrictions. Views abortion access as a privacy and health-care decision that government should not restrict.
Climate & Energy
Candidate accepts that climate change is real and says it must be addressed with urgency and practical solutions; he supports honoring Montana’s constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment and pursuing clean/alternative energy options (including small-scale nuclear) while acknowledging continued use of fossil fuels during transition.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded background checks and strengthened red-flag laws while describing himself as a gun owner who opposes bans on assault-style rifles. Emphasizes responsible gun ownership and criticizes the firearms industry’s marketing practices. Positions combine support for certain regulations with protection of traditional gun uses like hunting and shooting.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Ryan Busse is being mentioned in coverage of Montana’s 2026 Senate race as Democrats try to define their candidates ahead of an upcoming debate. The broader race has shifted after Steve Daines said he will not seek reelection, opening the seat and reshaping the field. The reporting suggests Democrats are still struggling to gain traction in a difficult political environment.
en.wikipedia.org+44
Articles
MMMissoula Missoulian4 months ago
Montana officials react to Daines' Senate retirement
Neutral
BGBillings Gazette4 months ago
March 10 recap: Billings news you may have missed today
Neutral
FNFox News4 months ago
Steve Daines won't seek reelection to Montana Senate seat
Neutral
TNThe New York Times4 months ago
What Democrats Should Relearn From Obama
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
MT-01 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Ryan Busse for MT-01 Democratic nominee?
LCV Action Fund
Political organization
LCV Action Fund endorsed Ryan Busse for U.S. House in Montana's 1st District.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$790.3K
$592.8K
$395.2K
$197.6K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$790.3K
$2.0K
$788.3K
$43.8K
Source: FEC