The Democratic nominee in Montana's 1st Congressional District, Sam Forstag, is running as a "smokejumper" and working-class outsider, but his lobbying record reveals a different side of his story.
Records show that Forstag, a registered lobbyist, opposed several state-level bills that restricted drag performances in public schools and libraries, banned gender-transition procedures for minors, and cracked down on sanctuary policies.
Between 2021 and 2023, Forstag was listed as a registered lobbyist for various groups and entities, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, and the City of Missoula.
During his time as a lobbyist, Forstag testified against bills involving drag performances in schools and libraries, transgender-related medical treatments for minors, and voter ID, among other issues.
In one instance, Forstag argued that a bill restricting minors from attending drag performances in public schools and libraries was overly broad and could affect people who are transgender or nonbinary participating in library programming.
Forstag also opposed SB 99, a bill banning certain gender-transition procedures and medications for minors, and SB 169, a measure to increase scrutiny around voter ID protocols.
When asked about his lobbying record, Forstag defended his work as a fight for working people and individual freedom, saying that he was working to defend Montanans' constitutional rights and freedoms.
Forstag's record on issues such as transgender medical procedures and immigration enforcement could potentially undercut his effort to appeal to more centrist voters in the heavily Republican state.
However, Eric Koch, a longtime Democratic consultant, argued that Forstag's record fits his broader message about keeping government out of personal decisions.
Forstag will face off against Republican opponent Aaron Flint in the November 3 general election for the open western Montana seat.
