Montana state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy has “unsuspended” his Democratic primary campaign for the U.S. House in Montana’s Eastern Congressional District, reversing his earlier decision amid sexual abuse allegations. This announcement came three weeks after he initially halted his congressional bid. The news was shared via a Wednesday afternoon text message to reporters, featuring a link to his campaign website, which now states: “Campaign Unsuspended for Montana’s 2nd Congressional District 2026,” with a headline reading, “Jonathan Windy Boy is Moving Forward.”
Windy Boy has yet to provide further comments about resuming his campaign. Previously, Montana Democratic Party Chair Shannon O’Brien shared Windy Boy’s intent to exit the race following allegations by Brian Miller, his primary competitor, that he had engaged in inappropriate communications with minors in 2002. Windy Boy condemned these claims, labeling them as a “political ambush” and asserting that they were resolved over 20 years ago.
Windy Boy stated, “This is an old smear campaign… These allegations are being repackaged and pushed publicly for political purposes.” Despite the allegations, Montana’s Secretary of State’s candidate list for 2026 still features Windy Boy’s name for the U.S. House race. Former consultant Lance FourStar, citing the allegations, will no longer support Windy Boy’s campaign. “It’s not my baggage to carry,” he remarked, voicing his detachment from the campaign.
Two days before Windy Boy rejoined the race, legislative leaders removed him from interim committee roles, as requested by Senate leaders. Windy Boy urged the Legislature to stop all formal actions against him. “My enemies are making a lot of noise, but just as before there have been no charges,” he said. Windy Boy criticized Miller for past legal issues, but Miller brushed off these attacks, calling them “an error in judgment.”
Sen. Windy Boy reenters the contest alongside Brian Miller and Sam Lux, challenging incumbent Republican Troy Downing, who previously won the seat by a significant margin. Democratic hopeful Sam Lux expressed disapproval of Windy Boy’s return, stating he should “resign from office and take accountability for his actions.”
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