Although Forstag wins House seat, Lake County voters largely buck blue wave
The so-called “blue tsunami” that swept the nation on Election Day when voters overwhelmingly elected Democrats, even in Republican strongholds like Texas, South Carolina and Kansas, was more of a ripple in Montana. Western District voters sent Sam Forstag to Congress – he’s the first Democrat to hold that seat since Pat Williams retired from office in 1997. Forstag lost to Republican Aaron Flint in Lake County, 6,141 to 7,471, but picked up the votes he needed elsewhere to win 50%-47% (135,096 to 124,747). He replaces Republican Ryan Zinke, who announced last spring he would not seek reelection. The four-way race to replace outgoing U.S. Senator Steve Daines was secured by former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme – the only Republican to file when Daines abruptly announced his retirement on the eve of the filing deadline last March. Alme claimed 48% or 235,549 votes in the statewide contest (50% in Lake County, with 7,110). Independent Seth Bodnar received 38% or 184,551 votes (34% in Lake County, with 4,820); Democrat Alani Bankhead claimed 12% with 59,950 (13% or 1,905 in Lake County); and Libertarian Kyle Austin walked away with just 2%. County sends both parties to Statehouse Lake County remains a lively
