Republican · Montana's 2nd District · 2026
Troy Downing
Downing taught and worked in computer science at New York University before starting a technology company that merged with Yahoo.
Biography
Before entering elected office, Troy Downing coauthored programming books, including Java Virtual Machine, published in 1997.1 He worked as a research scientist and teacher at New York University before starting a technology company that later merged with Yahoo.2 Downing and his wife, Heather, live in Helena and have four grown children.2
After the September 11 attacks, Downing enlisted in the Air Force and California Air National Guard, serving eight years with a combat search and rescue squadron, including two tours in Afghanistan.21 His House biography also describes volunteering at the military hospital in Kandahar.2 His business career has also included insurance and commercial real estate.2
He served as Montana's state auditor from 2021 to 2024, overseeing insurance and securities regulation and serving on the state land board.21 Downing entered Congress in January 2025 and now serves on Financial Services and Natural Resources.3 He sponsored a resolution overturning a federal land management plan that restricted coal development in the Miles City area; it became law in December 2025.45
Downing faces Democrat Brian Miller, independent Michael Eisenhauer and Libertarian Patrick McCracken in Montana's Second District.6 He emphasizes reducing regulatory barriers to housing construction and increasing the supply of homes for workers and families.6 He also advocates domestic energy development and using public lands for multiple purposes.2
Record and controversies
Hunting license guilty pleas
In July 2018, Downing pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors involving obtaining resident hunting licenses as a nonresident and unlawfully procuring a license or permit.7 Montana Public Radio reported a $2,110 fine plus court fees.7 Downing argued that the case arose from accountants' mistakes in tax filings that listed him as a California resident.7
Family court threat allegation
A 2024 Montana Free Press profile recounted 2005 family court testimony in which Downing's former wife alleged that he had threatened to kill her.8 The article quotes his 2020 denial that he ever threatened her and his statement that the judge dismissed her motions.8 The court order itself could not be found, so that account of the outcome is Downing's own.