State Representative District 26 in Montana State House District 26, Montana

2026 Primary Election

• Paul Jefferson — retired teacher in MT

  Paul Jefferson, a retired teacher, is a Democratic candidate for the Montana House of Representatives, District 26. Born in Washington and raised primarily in Texas, he has lived in Montana for 10 years. He earned multiple degrees, including from Midwestern State, Louisiana State, and Pennsylvania State Universities. Jefferson advocates for affordable healthcare and higher education, regulated data centers, and the right to organize, while also supporting the right to privacy, the right to marry, and the Second Amendment. He campaigns on uniting his district across divides and seeks to defend the rights of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." He aims to be the first Jefferson in the Montana Legislature.

• Russel Miner — Incumbent State Representative in MT

  Russel Miner is an incumbent Republican State Representative in Montana, currently seeking re-election in the Republican primary for House District 26 in 2026. He previously represented House District 19, winning his primary in 2022 and serving in 2023. During his 2023 legislative term, he was a primary sponsor for bills on federal lodging tax returns, FWP licenses for nonresident students, and state-sponsored industry trade shows. He also served as a member on key committees like Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Taxation, and Natural Resources. As an incumbent, he successfully secured the Republican primary for District 26 in 2024.