With Helena attorney Brian Miller and Great Falls farrier Sam Lux as the remaining Democratic candidates for Montana's 2nd Congressional District, the June 2 primary has settled into an unusually collegial two-person race. A third Democratic candidate dropped out a few weeks ago, leaving Miller and Lux — who describe each other as friends — to make their cases to voters across the state's vast eastern district.

Lux, who works as a farrier in rural communities across the region, said his background gives him a ground-level understanding of what eastern Montana needs. "What I can say that I bring to it is a background of a lifetime of experience working in the rural communities, being part of rural Montana and knowing what the Eastern District is truly all about and what it's going to need," Lux said. Miller, who has practiced law in Montana for 15 years, argues that his litigation experience makes him well-suited for a legislative role. "I know how to work with subject matter experts in different fields, ask questions, get data and information," Miller said, "because if you're a member of Congress, you need to go and talk to economists, you need to go and talk to agriculture experts."

Neither candidate has attempted to draw sharp contrasts with the other, and both say they are largely aligned on policy. They have at times appeared at each other's campaign events. Both would face Republican incumbent Rep. Troy Downing in the November general election, along with a Libertarian candidate and possibly an independent.

The June 2 primary ballot will reach Lewis and Clark County voters in early May. Residents can use the Montana Free Press 2026 Election Guide at montanafreepress.org to look up their specific races by address.