Democrat Sam Forstag’s effort to emphasize his working-class background is drawing fresh scrutiny from Republican Aaron Flint’s campaign, which is highlighting Forstag’s years of lobbying and LGBTQ advocacy work in Helena.
Forstag recently released an advertisement claiming that he earned $16 an hour as a smokejumper. Flint’s campaign responded by releasing lobbying records it says show Forstag was associated with substantial lobbying fees while representing clients including the ACLU of Montana, local governments and other organizations.
The campaign cited records showing $65,000 in fees associated with Forstag’s lobbying work in 2021 and 2022 and nearly $184,000 in 2023 and 2024. Forstag has not revealed how much of those fees he was paid.
Forstag has acknowledged working in advocacy and lobbying between fire seasons. His campaign biography describes him as a smokejumper and union leader while downplaying his work as a paid lobbyist.
The competing biographies have become part of the broader contrast in the MT-01 race.
Flint is a fifth-generation Montanan who grew up in Glasgow and the Flathead. He served more than 20 years in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after multiple deployments, including combat service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Forstag was born in Ohio and grew up in Portland, Oregon. He moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana, where he studied philosophy and political science, and later worked in wildland firefighting, lobbying and union organizing.
Flint’s campaign is seeking to use those differences, along with Forstag’s lobbying history, to challenge the Democrat’s presentation of himself primarily as a working-class firefighter.
The dispute comes as outside spending increases in the western Montana congressional race. Republican-aligned groups have begun placing significant advertising in the Butte and Missoula television markets as both campaigns sharpen their general-election messages.
Flint has emphasized his military record, Montana roots, affordability and skilled-trades policies. Forstag has focused on his firefighting experience, labor background, public lands and economic issues affecting working families.