Draft:Aaron Flint
Aaron Helland Flint (born circa 1980) is an American combat veteran and radio host, who is the Republican nominee for Montana's 1st congressional district in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections.[1] Flint is the Republican nominee for Montana's 1st congressional district in the 2026 election.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Flint grew up in Glasgow and in Flathead County, Montana. His family homesteaded near Opheim and Niarada, Montana.[3] He’s a fifth-generation Montanan.[4]
Military career
[edit]Following the September 11 terror attacks, Flint enlisted in the military and served more than 20 years in the United States Army National Guard and Army Reserve. He led combat patrols in Iraq and Afghanistan and later joined special operations units supporting counterterrorism missions in Africa and the Middle East.[5]
Flint retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel, earning two Bronze Star Medals for his service.[6]
Radio career
[edit]After returning from Afghanistan, Flint hosted the statewide talk radio program "Voices of Montana" from 2009 to 2015 and previously worked in television at Q2 News.[7]
Since 2017, he has hosted "Montana Talks," covering political and local issues with listeners across the state.[8] Flint is a Montana Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the organization's first "Great Montana Western Media Award."[9]
Politics
[edit]Flint entered the race for Montana's 1st Congressional District on March 2, 2026. He received endorsements from President Donald Trump, Congressman Ryan Zinke, Congressman Troy Downing, Senator Tim Sheehy, Senator Steve Daines, and Governor Greg Gianforte, as well as House Republican leaders including Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain.[10][11][12][13]
His platform centers on land conservation, housing affordability, and protecting Montana's cultural heritage. He supports an America First foreign policy, keeping public lands in public ownership, and shielding Montana's history and way of life from outside influences.[14][15][16][17]
Before running for Congress, Flint worked on Greg Gianforte's 2016 gubernatorial campaign and served as State Director for Rep. Ryan Zinke in 2016-2017 before deploying to Africa.[18] On June 2, 2026, Flint won the Republican primary for Montana's western U.S. House seat.[19]
Personal life
[edit]Flint graduated from the University of Montana, where he met his wife, Jessica.[20] The couple has three children. While at the university, he served as student body president. In 2025, Governor Gianforte appointed Jessica Flint as the representative for civil rights organizations.[21]
Flint began his career in politics at 19 as a staffer for Senator Conrad Burns.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ Lutey, Tom (2026-06-03). "Republican Aaron Flint and Democrat Sam Forstag win Western District House primaries". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 2026-06-04.
- ^ Mazzei, Patricia. "Radio Host With Trump's Support Wins Republican House Primary in Montana". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
- ^ "Aaron Flint, host, Voices of Montana radio program". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- ^ Warren, Bradley. "Conservative radio host Aaron Flint to run for Congress in Montana's first district". NonStop Local. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ^ "Governor Gianforte Joins Montanans To Remember 9/11". Montana.gov. Governor's Office. September 11, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ Lutey, Tom (March 5, 2026). "Montana Mic Drop: Zinke and Daines pull the plug on congressional careers". Montana Free Press. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ "Aaron Flint no longer hosting "Voices of Montana"". October 8, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ Hansen, Jordan. "Montana's Trump? Flint's 'Montana Talks' a look into Congressional candidate's views". Daily Montanan. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ^ "Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame unveils 2025 inductees". Montana Sports. May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ Drew, Micah. "Montana GOP candidates jump into race for western House district". Daily Montanan. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ^ Lutey, Tom. "Why Aaron Flint says Congress should be more like talk radio". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ^ Lutey, Tom. "Republican Aaron Flint and Democrat Sam Forstag win Western District House primaries". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ^ Mancini, Ryan (March 3, 2026). "Trump endorses candidate for Montana House seat following Zinke's retirement". The Hill. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ Lutey, Tom. "Montana enters its first post-boomer congressional era". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ^ MTN News. "Aaron Flint projected to win GOP nomination for Montana's 1st Congressional District". KRTV. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ^ Thomas, Mariah. "Republican Reckonings and a Referendum on Trump Define Montana's Western Congressional Primary". Flathead Beacon.
- ^ Reaney, Jack. "Aaron Flint talks conservation, finding common ground in Bozeman roundtable". Explore Big Sky. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ^ Tribune Capitol Bureau. "Zinke names Flint as new state director". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ^ "Aaron Flint". KJJR. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ Warren, Bradley. "Conservative radio host Aaron Flint to run for Congress in Montana's first district". NonStop Local. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ^ Hansen, Jordan. "Christian legal organization gains spot on state criminal justice council". Daily Montanan. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ^ Thomas, Mariah. "Republican Reckonings and a Referendum on Trump Define Montana's Western Congressional Primary". Flathead Beacon. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
Category:Living people
Category:University of Montana alumni
Category:People from Glasgow, Montana
Category:People from Flathead County, Montana