If you are a voter in Montana’s Eastern Congressional District, you may have noticed that you are seeing those glossy, oversized postcards candidates send out this time of year. Some of those are from Troy Downing. He is currently running for re-election to Montana’s Eastern Congressional District seat.
You may have also seen brief video ads from Troy Downing while watching your favorite programs. You may not have noticed that you are helping to pay for those ads.
It’s called “franking.” It allows members of Congress to send communications to their constituents, paid for by taxpayers. The program is funded through each congressional office’s Member’s Representational Allowance. The amount varies, but generally runs between $1.8 and $2 million.
The allowance breaks down into three categories: personnel and staffing, official office expenses, and official mail expenses. Since 2023, Downing’s allowance has averaged $1,928,107.
It is no secret that incumbents often increase their use of franked mail during campaign season. And based on our mailboxes and video screens, Downing appears to be taking full advantage of this federal largesse.
Of course, this is in addition to Downing’s campaign fundraising and the personal money he has “loaned” to his campaign. Downing is a very wealthy man.
Federal Election Commission reports filed through June 30, 2026, show that Downing has received total campaign receipts of a little over $2 million. He has spent about $1.5 million so far. In addition, he has loaned his campaign committee a little over $2 million.
For comparison, retired cardiologist Michael Eisenhauer who is running as an independent has received just under $300,000, but only about $50,000 came from contributors. The rest was a loan of approximately $250,000 from himself.
Brian Miller, the Democrat in the race, is running an aggressive, issue-based campaign focused heavily on concerns about data centers. He has raised just under $20,000, with no personal loans.
The golden rule in politics is: “The one who has the money makes the rules.”
Clearly, Troy Downing has the money in this race. Too bad he also has his hands in taxpayers’ pockets to help pay for his campaign.
Our democracy has been stolen by big money. We desperately need campaign finance reform.
Vote for Initiative 194 — The Montana Plan.