State Senator District 1 in Montana State Senate District 1, Montana

2026 Primary Election

• Vincent Backen — Candidate for State Senator in Libby, MT

  Vincent Backen is a 5th generation Montanan running for Montana State Senate District 1 in 2026. He is positioning himself as a conservative Republican, having introduced his candidacy to a group of noted conservative Republicans and advocating for "hand-ups" over "hand-outs." His campaign emphasizes keeping Montana strong, focusing on people, property, and the environment. He actively invests his hard-earned money into Lincoln County, particularly his hometown of Libby, aiming to make it stronger and promote Montana as a great place to invest. He has received an endorsement from Love Inc.

• Neil Duram — Incumbent State Representative in Eureka, MT

  Neil Duram is a Republican currently serving his fourth term as a State Representative for Montana's House District 1, representing areas including Eureka and Troy. He previously served House District 2. He held the position of Republican Whip from 2023-2025 and chairs the House Transportation Committee. His legislative work has included sponsoring bills related to county deputy sheriff compensation and motorized scooter regulations. Duram is now campaigning for a seat in the Montana State Senate for District 1 in the 2026 Primary Election, having successfully won his House seat in 2024 with 60% of the vote.

• Steve Gunderson — Retired businessman, politician in Libby, MT

  Steve Gunderson, born May 31, 1957, in Seattle, Washington, is a retired businessman and politician who has resided in Libby, Montana, since 1969. A graduate of Libby High School, he served eight years in the Montana and North Dakota Army National Guard. Gunderson's past professional endeavors include owning a RadioShack store, a bail bondsman service, and a storage unit business in Libby. He is also known as a cofounder of the Montanore Positive Action Committee and a member of the Libby Asbestos Superfund Advisory Team. Gunderson previously served as a Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives for District 1, holding committee positions such as Chair of Natural Resources. He is now campaigning for State Senator for District 1 in the 2026 Montana Primary Election, with a platform that emphasizes the return of the historic natural resource extractive economy and family wage jobs. He is married to Cherie Gunderson and they have two sons.

• Jonathan Russell Jameson — Remote Geosteering Geologist in Libby, MT

  Jonathan Russell Jameson is a Democratic candidate for the Montana State Senate District 1 in the 2026 primary election. A Montana native, his family settled in Lincoln County in 1976. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Central Washington University and gained experience as an onsite geologist in the oil field. Currently, he works remotely in geosteering, a profession he has held for 17 years. Jameson moved his family back to Lincoln County in 2017. He is campaigning on a platform of practical leadership and Montana values, focusing on sustainable logging, sustainable energy, affordable healthcare, affordable housing, and recreational improvements, aiming to build bridges and work collaboratively for growth in his district.