Welcome! Here are the topics we’re ending the week with: 

• Montana U.S. Senate 2026
• MT Second Congressional District
• Campaign Mailers Update
• State Senator Ellie Boldman
• World Domination
• Memorial Day 2026
• One More Thing

MONTANA U.S. SENATE 2026:

NBC Montana is reporting that new research shows a competitive race to become Montana’s next U.S. Senator: 

Tavern Research conducted polling between May 13 and May 18 with 607 likely voters. Pollsters say the margin of error is 5.1%.

Polls in the race for U.S. Sen. Steve Daines’ vacated seat show a four-way race benefits Republican Kurt Alme, who polled at 46%.

Independent Seth Bodnar polled at 26%, Democrat Reilly Neill polled at 24% and Libertarian Tom Jandron polled at 3%.

However, polling in a two-candidate race between Alme and Bodnar is split 50/50.

There’s more information from the poll HERE. 

MONTANA’S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT:

The Montana Free Press (MTFP) is reporting that U.S. Rep. Troy Downing, who won Montana’s Eastern Congressional district by a wide margin in 2024, has a 34% approval and 40% disapproval rating among Eastern Congressional District’s registered voters, according to a Montana Free Press-Eagleton poll conducted in late April and early May.  

The 40% disapproval rating for Downing would be a concern, but the other candidates in the race are unknown, so I doubt it matters much. Downing may have some hurt feelings, but that’s about it. 

Check out the complete story from the MTFP HERE. 

CAMPAIGN MAILERS UPDATE:

Because I am a political nerd, I keep track of the campaign literature received during the campaign season. Some of the better mailers get shown on The Western Word.

There are about 12 days left until Montana’s Primary Election Day on June 2.

On Monday, I reported that I had received 54 campaign mailers through Saturday, May 16. 

So that brings the total for this primary campaign season to 65 campaign mailers.

That is through Thursday (May 21).

Please make sure you save your mailers and recycle them! 

STATE SENATOR ELLIE BOLDMAN:

Entrepreneur, investor, and consultant Jake Eaton announced the following on his X account: 

“For more than a year we’ve sought the release of the video footage from Sen. Ellie Boldman’s DUI arrest. A judge has now ordered it to be released.” 

He also includes a copy of the order from the Montana First Judicial District Court in Lewis and Clark County. You can check out his post HERE.  

I have no problem with Eaton getting this footage released. Any elected official who drives drunk deserves to be embarrassed and for their constituents to see how they broke the law. I believe elected officials should resign if caught driving drunk. 

Boldman is a Democrat, and Eaton is a Republican. I’m sure politics played a role in this request. I imagine someone on the Democratic side is checking to see if there’s police video of Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalin and her arrest for DUI. (Source) 

Please don’t drink and drive. 

WORLD DOMINATION:

The Western Word received the “World Domination” award from WordPress this week for being viewed in 150+ different countries. Yes, I am bragging.

I’ve been operating this blog since January 2005. Thanks to those who read my columns, subscribe to the blog, and to those who send me information to use. 

There are more than 600 subscribers. If you would like to subscribe, go to the Home Page and enter your email in the subscribe box. An election year is a great time to subscribe.  

MEMORIAL DAY 2026:

Monday is Memorial Day. It is a day to remember those who gave their lives while serving our country. 

Check out Memorial Day Facts and Figures HERE. 

ONE MORE THING:

The commercial says, “Every kiss begins with Kay.”

Not true, some begin with alcohol and bad judgment.

##  HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND ##