BOZEMAN — Aaron Flint and Al Olszewski, Republican candidates for Montana’s Western District U.S. House race, faced each other in their sole scheduled debate before the party primary.
The two engaged in a 90-minute discussion at Bozeman’s Calvary Chapel, attended by approximately 120 people. Bozeman, central to Gallatin County, ranks second in Republican votes in the 18-county district after Flathead County.
The debate covered natural resource jobs, affordable housing, and U.S. military action in Iran, with each topic granted 12 minutes. Both candidates agreed on banning congressional stock trading and timely federal budgets.
The Montana GOP sponsored the event, but candidate Christi Jacobsen, Montana’s secretary of state, was absent, confirmed by state Republican Party Chair Art Wittich. State Senate President Matt Regier moderated the debate.
A highlight was Flint emphasizing his endorsement by President Donald Trump eight times, while Olszewski mentioned Trump sparingly.
Flint criticized “far-left socialists” for gerrymandering the Western House District, which has been a Republican stronghold since 2022. He alleged Democrats targeted the 2026 election cycle on the state’s districting commission. However, both Democrats on the commission opposed the current district layout.
A near-miss occurred when Olszewski discussed high-paying trades and resource jobs, clarifying, “a hooker — as in timber, not the other way around.”
Flint failed to elicit applause for Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy’s 2024 victory over Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. He attributed the silence to audience etiquette: “They’re waving because we can’t have disruptions.”
On housing affordability, Olszewski stated, “The only way you can afford an expensive house is a job that pays good money,” emphasizing Wall Street’s impact on property prices. Flint argued, “Thirty percent of home costs stem from red tape and regulations,” advocating for reviving the timber industry and banning large firms from buying homes.
Regarding the Iran conflict, Olszewski expressed discontent with ongoing military actions, saying, “Countries can win wars, but people do not.” Flint declared a desire to avoid “forever wars,” noting, “Khamenei is dead, but the far-left socialists are on the march in Montana.”
On congressional reforms, Olszewski stressed, “The House belongs to the people,” advocating for governance over sound-bites. Flint called for “single-subject bills” and opposed congressional stock trading, linking it to public frustration with Congress.
Neither candidate proposed tax cuts, a traditional Republican stance, but both supported reducing federal spending without specifying cuts. Voting in Montana’s 2026 primary election starts May 4 and concludes June 2.
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