Russel Cleveland Announces Bold Run Against Rep. Zinke in 2026 Election Battle
Russel Cleveland, a Democrat and U.S. Navy veteran from Stevensville, is officially running for Congress in the 2026 elections. He seeks to challenge incumbent Representative Ryan Zinke. Notably, Cleveland is a distant cousin of former President Grover Cleveland.
Policy Positions and Aspirations
In a recent interview with NBC Montana, Cleveland articulated his key policy positions. He describes himself as fiscally responsible and underscores the urgency of addressing national debt and government spending.
Cleveland believes the political landscape is evolving, appealing to a broad spectrum of voters, including long-time conservatives. His primary policy proposals include:
- Increasing teacher pay
- Creating dual-credit high school courses
- Raising the minimum wage
- Caps on property taxes
He emphasizes early education, recognizing a crucial childcare shortage in Montana. To address this, he established Rocky Mountain Kids, which has served around 9,000 children across 42 locations over the past decade.
Education and Childcare Initiatives
“Education begins at an early age,” Cleveland stated. He believes parents must have access to safe childcare options to return to work with peace of mind.
Healthcare Focus and Campaign Integrity
Cleveland is also committed to ensuring affordable healthcare. He notes that climbing healthcare costs significantly impact families’ finances. Moreover, he prioritizes transparency in his campaign financing.
Cleveland pledges to reject corporate PAC donations and dark money, asserting the importance of serving his constituents. “Public servants should dedicate their energy to the people who elected them,” he said, clarifying his campaign’s foundation.
Competition with Ryan Zinke
As he prepares to face Zinke, Cleveland highlights the fundamental differences between their campaigns. He centers his approach on community service rather than catering to lobbyists or PACs.
As Cleveland progresses in his campaign, he is focused on engaging voters and tackling the pressing issues facing communities in Montana. For ongoing updates on Cleveland’s campaign, be sure to check Emegypt as the 2026 election date approaches.
