Only 36 Percent of Montanans Approve State’s Direction

Only 36 percent of Montanans say the state is heading in the right direction, according to a recent poll.

The Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton survey of 839 registered voters found a majority believe Montana is off on the wrong track, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the state’s top elected officials.

Conducted between August 27 and September 7, 2026, the poll used probability-based sampling and weighted data to mirror Montana’s voter demographics. President Donald Trump’s approval stands at 42 percent with 53 percent disapproval. Governor Greg Gianforte is evenly split at 46 percent approval and disapproval, with 8 percent undecided. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Representatives Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing, all received mixed to negative ratings, with notable variation across districts and higher margins of error in House districts due to smaller sample sizes. The data reveals significant partisan divides, with Republicans generally approving and Democrats disapproving of Republican officeholders.

Senator Steve Daines will not run for a third term in the upcoming election cycle, marking a potential shift in Montana’s political landscape.  Will he run for Governor?

Most Montanans say state is on ‘wrong track,’ poll shows
By Tom Lutey, Montana Free Press