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July 22nd. Len’s Political Note #740 Russell Cleveland Montana 01
2026 General Election
Russell Cleveland
My goal in these pieces is to suggest you donate to Democrats for whom donations can make a difference. In general, that means protecting vulnerable Democratic incumbents and supporting Democratic challenges to vulnerable Republicans. The Republican incumbent of Montana 01 is not on my list of vulnerable Republicans. Nevertheless, Ryan Zinke is vulnerable enough and Russell Cleveland is promising enough.
A simple way of identifying vulnerable incumbents is by the size of their victory in 2024. Vulnerable Democrats can become less vulnerable with a substantial lead in campaign funds or by having a weak opponent.
If Democrats hold all of the seats they currently hold, that will not be quite enough to regain control of the House, but it is a start. Democrats would then need to flip three seats to win control of Congress in 2026. Early money makes a difference for candidates. I write to you about Democratic candidates you can give money to now so the candidate can have an even chance any an incumbent raising money now.
I cannot identify who the opponents will be of many of the most vulnerable Republicans. The 2026 election is more than a year away. In a few cases, no one is running yet. In other cases, multiple Democrats have announced. It will take time to identify which Democrat has established himself or herself as the candidate I will urge you to give money to.
I am a Big Tent Democrat. Only rarely, do I recommend a candidate because of ideology. I do not often recommend the candidate I think is most likely to defeat his or her Republican opponent. Early in the election process, when there are multiple Democratic candidates, if I can do it, I recommend the candidate I think is most likely to be the nominee. That way you and I can donate money as early as possible – when it is particularly valuable to a candidate.
Sometimes polls can give us a clue. Sometimes a big lead in fund raising is the clue. Sometimes, you have to know more about the candidates and the district. And sometimes, you just have to wait until the primary to see who the nominee is.
So far, I have recommended two Democratic challengers who can flip a district.
- Dairy Farmer Blake Gendebien who was running in a special election for New York 21 that never happened. (See Len’s Political Note #706). DONATE
- Law Professor and former State Rep Christina Bohannan who is one of three Democrats running for Iowa 01 and the probable nominee. She lost to the incumbent in 2024 by 799 votes. (See Len’s Political Note #737). DONATE
Russell Cleveland is my third. (though there will be many more)
Russell Cleveland is the only Democrat running against the incumbent of Montana 01, Ryan Zinke. Ryan Zinke is not on Len’s List of Vulnerable Republican Members of Congress. But Zinke is a candidate who can be defeated. He was the Secretary of Interior for part of Trump’s first administration. Trump fired him because of ethical questions had been raised about Zinke’s behavior.
You may ask: Trump fired someone for ethical violations?
The Inspector general for the Interior Department investigated Ryan Zinke’s business dealings as a result of a whistleblower complaint. Zinke was linked to a real estate deal with the chairman of the oil-services company Halliburton and was also accused of preventing Native American tribes from expanding a casino. Other accusations included redrawing the boundaries of a national monument for political reasons and inappropriately allowing his wife as well as campaign fundraisers to travel with him in official vehicles and on a government boat tour. The case was turned over to the Justice Department. Trump fired Zinke before a report was published and before the Justice Department could bring any charges.
Trump has learned from this experience. Among the first things he did in his second term of office was fire the various Department Inspector Generals. Just to be sure, he selected a compliant Attorney General.
Russell Cleveland is worth investing some money in even though there is only a moderate probability of his winning. In 2022, a mid-term which was a little less pro-Democratic than 2026 is likely to be, Ryan Zinke won election by 7,837 votes — a three point margin. Such a close race just a few years ago makes a victory by Russell Cleveland seem possible, but only if he can raise a substantial amount of money. In 2024, Zinke won by 7 points after raising $10 million. We have completed the first two quarters of 2025. At the close of the second quarter, that is, on June 30, 2025, Ryan Zinke had raised $2 million dollars. He is on a pace to raise $7 million, not an abnormal amount for the Congressional campaign. Russell Cleveland announced recently. If he is going to be competitive, he will have to start raising money now.
The son of a Chief Petty Officer, Russell Cleveland was raised in the Montana his parents were from. Through school and through life, he demonstrated he was the kind of person who succeeds then goes on to other things. If he is elected to Congress, we can hope that he will stay in politics for a while.
He demonstrated leadership in his youth. At thirteen, Russell Cleveland became an Eagle Scout. In high school (though even now the typical graduating class in his high school has fewer than 100 students), he was president of the National Honor Society, student body president, and represented the high school at the American Legion’s Boys State and Boys Nation. Russell Cleveland also played football, baseball, and ran track. He was a good enough athlete to earn a football scholarship to Montana Tech where he was both a wide receiver and a defensive back.
After two years in college, Russell Cleveland joined the Navy. He was trained as an electrician and served a two-year tour of duty in Norfolk, VA maintaining a helicopter squadron. He developed a commitment to fitness, returned to college, but at the University of Nevada – Reno. and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in nutrition in 2010. Russell Cleveland followed that degree up with a non-university master fitness trainer certificate.
By 2012, Russell Cleveland had founded a non-profit focused on preventing childhood obesity. He also set a personal challenge for himself and undertook a 3500 mile cycling exercise. He started in the state of Washington and finished in Massachusetts. By 2015, he had completed a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration and completed the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Seattle. He was hired by US Bank to work in their Denver office.
Russell Cleveland married his wife Kate, whom he had been with for enough time for them to have three children together. She had gotten a doctorate in physical therapy and shared his interest in healthy living.
They and their three children moved to Denver. Successful as a bank manager, he gradually became an entrepreneur. He founded a chain of child-care centers. With the start of the pandemic, he added remote education to his portfolio and subsequently created an additional chain of pre-kindergartens after Colorado passed a universal pre-k statute.
In 2020, the family was faced with a tragedy. Their 13 year old daughter died of cancer. They decided to leave Denver, bought their ranch in Montana, and settled in. Russell and Kate Cleveland built retirement homes for their parents on the ranch and built low rent apartment housing for the school district’s teachers because the district had had trouble attracting teachers. While they continued to run the business, they also coached high school sports and she served on the school board.
In 2024, they sold their business and considered early retirement. Trump’s election in 2024 was pivotal for Russell Cleveland. He decided on a run for Congress as a way to “fight the Executive Branch’s overreach of power, depolarize both parties, and bring bipartisan efforts back to DC.”
He looks back to his distant relative – Grover Cleveland – for inspiration. Russell Cleveland notes that the Mugwumps, Republicans and independents disgusted by Republican corruption were the people who brought the Democrat Grover Cleveland to power, the only President to be elected to two terms sandwiched by a loss prior to Donald Trump’s second successful election. Russell Cleveland is not especially reaching out to 1950s liberals or he might have mentioned that Grover Cleveland’s second vice president was Adlai Stevenson.
Look at the 16 points that constitute what Russell Cleveland describes as his political views. You could look at his website. Or you could look at the excerpts below. I hope I have been true to his intentions.
- Affordable Healthcare and Prescriptions – With the constant rising cost of prescriptions — linked directly to corporate greed I support any legislation that makes healthcare and prescriptions more affordable.
- Fiscally Conservative – In my view though, there are sensible and calculated ways to [rebalance the scales] which doesn’t include a mass slash and burn methodology
- Women’s Rights – I feel that my wife and daughters — in fact, all women — should be able to make their own healthcare decisions and choose what is right for their own bodies. In addition, I will promote any legislation that requires equal pay metrics for women.
- Second Amendment – The right to keep and bear arms, like it or not, is a fundamental part of our Constitution. I remain supportive of alternative legislation that reduces gun violence, addresses mental illness, and restricts the transfer of firearms to criminals, cartels, and terrorist organizations.
- Separation of Church and State – Freedom of religion in this country to me means both freedom to practice whatever faith you believe in, as well as freedom not to. I will not support any legislation that attempts to intermix religion of any kind into programs of the state, including public education.
- Climate Change – I … support any legislation that reduces or repairs global warming, reduces pollution, or improves efforts to preserve our beautiful state and planet.
- Immigration – The American dream is not just for those who already live here. I support any legislation that creates a more clear, efficient, and meaningful pathway to citizenship. I also feel we must reform our work visa process…., encouraging laborers to come seasonally to support our farmers and ranchers.
- Border Control – I believe that a secure border allows for bureaucratic processes to better perform due diligence and gives honest people looking to become American citizens a legal pathway to citizenship in the United States.
- Pro-Sovereignty – [W]e, as a world superpower, have a moral obligation to provide stability, resources, and support, if necessary, to any state seeking independence from external control or interference (be it from terrorist organizations or a neighboring aggressor).
- LGBTQ+ Rights – I believe all people are created equal, regardless of who you love or how you identify. It is not the responsibility of a government, especially at the federal level, to interfere with the rights of these Americans.
- Pro-Union – This country was literally built on the backs of union workers. I encourage continued formation and increased participation in unions nationwide.
- Veterans Benefits – I am a strong supporter of enhanced benefits for veterans and their families.
- Tax Reform – I support legislation that would shift the tax burden so that as wealth accumulates, so does the burden to shoulder more tax. I support tax legislation that would cut taxes for any household making less than $200,000/yr.
- Protecting Public Lands – under the Trump administration, our forests are under attack, our parks under siege, and our public lands are being pushed towards privatization and sale. Many of us choose to live in this state because of its clear blue sky, lush forests, and crystal clear streams and lakes — all free of pollution and industrialization. I support any legislation that keeps Montana the most beautiful state in the lower 48.
- Free Market Capitalism – I fully believe that supply and demand should justify pricing and production. The government should only protect consumers from monopolization, negative environmental outcomes, or other negative factors that might be forced upon people … .. In addition, Trump’s tariff plan is a global economic disaster.
- A Strong Military – I am a firm believer that the best offense is a strong defense, requiring a robust and well-trained military. We are spending four times that of the next highest country, China. This, though unpopular, should be an area of review to save Americans critical tax dollars and pay down the national deficit.
DONATE to Russell Cleveland. He could give us a terrific upset of a man who deserves to be ousted from office.
Districts Democrats can flip that were mentioned above
New York 21. Dairy Farmer Blake Gendebien to replace Congresswoman Elise Stefanik who Trump was going to nominate as UN Ambassador then changed his mind; who will almost certainly be running for Governor of New York leaving Democrats with a chance to flip and Open Seat. I am skipping Stefanik here. It is unlikely that she will be running for reelection. She has bigger fish to fry. At the end of June Blake Gendebien had $2 million. As he prepares for the 2026 election, help him be in the lead. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #706
Iowa 01. Law professor Christina Bohannan to oust congresswoman Marionette Miller-Meeks who, like almost every single Republican who claims to be a moderate, simply does not come through when it counts. At the end of June, Miller-Meeks had $2 million, Christina Bohannan had $800,000. She will need to work to catch up. Help her: DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #737.
Incumbents we should protect:
California 13 Congressman Adam Gray who won by 187 votes in 2024. DONATE See Len’s Political Note #716.
California 45 Congressman Derek Tran who won by 653 votes in 2024. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #717
Ohio 09 Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur who won by 2,832 votes in 2024 DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #718
Maine 02 Congressman Jared Golden who won by 2,706 votes in 2024. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #719.
Texas 34 Congressman Vicente Gonzalez who won by 5,237 votes in 2024. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #720
North Carolina 01. Congressman Don Davis who won by 6,307 votes in 2024. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note $721
California 27. Congressman George Whitesides who won b y 7,990 votes in 2024. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #726
New York 17 Congressman Josh Riley who won by 8,357 votes in 2024. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #727
Ohio 13 Congresswoman Emilia Sykes who won by 8,542 votes in 2024. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #728
New York 04 Congresswoman Laura Gillen who won by 8,603 votes in 2024. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #729
California 09 Congressman Josh Harder who won by 7,973 votes in 2024. DONATE. See Len’s Political Note #730
If Democrats can hold all of their seats and flip three, the House will have a Democratic majority,
GIVE OF YOURSELF AS WELL.
Join peaceful demonstrations. I hope you found a place to march on July 17. Look around. Many communities have weekly demonstrations against Trump. Find one and join. Call your Senators and Members of Congress. Remind them Trump and the Republicans have been created huge tax cuts for the wealthy, sharp reductions in Medicaid for those who are not wealthy, and expanded our national debt in the process.
