The Ballot Brief
Flathead County, Montana

Montana Senate District 8

2 candidates are tracked for Montana Senate District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Christopher Paul Buckles and Tyson T. Running Wolf. Candidate information follows official Flathead County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Christopher Paul Buckles (Republican), Tyson T. Running Wolf (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Montana Senate District 8. The state's list marks no incumbent for this seat. Party nominees were chosen at the June 2, 2026 primary, per the Montana Secretary of State's 2026 candidate list.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

Montana › Flathead County › Montana Senate District 8

Christopher Paul Buckles

Republican

Biography

Christopher founded Big Sky Life Support HCBS in 2015, a home and community based service company he later converted to nonprofit status, and works as a healthcare provider on the state's Medicaid waiver program, per a Montana Free Press candidate questionnaire he completed for a prior legislative campaign. He holds a double major in Healthcare Administration and Sociology, per the questionnaire. No campaign website or questionnaire response for the 2026 race was found as of September 17, 2026.

Tyson T. Running Wolf

Democratic

Biography

Tyson is a member of the Blackfeet Nation from Browning who cofounded and serves as CEO of the nonprofit Blackfeet Eco Knowledge, owns a construction company and previously worked as a professional outdoor outfitter, per the Flathead Beacon. He served on the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council from 2014 to 2018 and has represented Montana House District 16 since 2019, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resource Management from the University of Montana, per the Flathead Beacon. No campaign website was found as of September 17, 2026.

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Montana Senate District 8 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Montana Senate District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Christopher Paul Buckles and Tyson T. Running Wolf. Candidate information follows official Flathead County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Montana Senate District 8 election in Montana?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Montana are on the Montana election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Flathead County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Flathead County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Montana election office, or see the full Flathead County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Flathead County ballot

25 tracked races in Flathead County, Montana. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Montana House District 3Montana House District 4Montana House District 5See all 25 Flathead County races
Candidate profiles
Christopher Paul Buckles, full profileTyson T. Running Wolf, full profileOfficial Montana election office