FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2026

MCV Education Fund hosts nonpartisan forum for Montana’s First Congressional District candidates

(HELENA, Mont.) — On Tuesday evening, the Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund (MCVEF) hosted a nonpartisan candidate forum at the Willson Auditorium, bringing together candidates for Montana’s First Congressional District to discuss public policy issues impacting the state’s natural resources and local communities.

“We are grateful to the candidates and the community members who joined us for this vital exchange of ideas,” said MCV Education Fund Executive Director Ben Super. “Our mission is to ensure that voters have access to factual information about the policy positions of those seeking to represent them. Last night’s dialogue was a testament to the importance of civic engagement in Montana.”

All candidates who filed for the MT-1 seat were invited to participate to ensure a broad and balanced representation of policy approaches. Participating candidates Ryan Busse, Russell Cleveland, Sam Forstag, and Matt Rains ultimately shared their perspectives on a variety of topics, including public land management, data centers and energy costs, and conservation priorities.

The event was attended by 150 people in person, with dozens more joining via the digital livestream. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the MCV Education Fund does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. The forum was held to help educate voters on differing policy stances of the candidates running to represent them in the U.S. Congress on nonpartisan conservation and civic engagement issues.

A full recording of the forum is now available to the public on the organization’s YouTube channel.