Leadership in Action, a political action committee whose honorary chairman is Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, has launched a new advertisement targeting Democratic congressional candidate Sam Forstag over his previous lobbying work in Helena.
The ad, titled “The Other Resume,” argues that Forstag’s campaign emphasis on his background as a smokejumper and wildland firefighter leaves out a significant part of his professional history as a lobbyist and political advocate.
Public records show roughly $249,000 in lobbying fees associated with Forstag’s work during the 2021 through 2024 election cycles. Those figures represent payments reported in connection with the firms and organizations employing Forstag. Forstag’s campaign has accused Republicans of misrepresenting the records but has refused to disclose how much he was paid as a lobbyist.
Leadership in Action is also using the ad to criticize policy positions Forstag advocated while working in Helena, including issues involving transgender athletes and gender-transition procedures for minors.
“In Helena Sam Forstag pushed a radical liberal agenda including boys in girls’ sports and drag shows and sex changes for little kids,” Knudsen said in announcing the ad. “It is time for Portland Sam to come clean about his time as a paid lobbyist.”
The lobbying issue has become an increasingly prominent line of attack against Forstag in the race for Montana’s 1st Congressional District. Flint’s campaign previously released records disclosing lobbying fees connected with Forstag’s work in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The new ad comes as outside groups increase spending and advertising in the MT-01 contest, with both campaigns seeking to define their opponent’s professional and political record before the November election.