Kyle
Austin
Libertarian pharmacist and Billings business owner running for Montana's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026
- sources
- 12
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Kyle Austin is the Libertarian candidate for Montana's open U.S. Senate seat in the November 2026 general election. Born and raised on Montana's Hi-Line near Havre, he holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Montana and works as a pharmacist, pharmacy owner, and farmer in the Billings area. 34
Austin owns Pharm406, a pharmacy based in Billings, and has described working in pharmacy across Montana before opening his own business. He also farms, according to his campaign and media coverage. 134
He previously ran for U.S. House in Montana's eastern district in 2022 and 2024 as a Republican before switching to the Libertarian Party. He has not held elected office. 1322
Austin's campaign focuses on issues including health care reform, business experience, and Libertarian policy principles. He participated in a multi-candidate U.S. Senate debate in October 2026 alongside other major-party candidates. 1215
At a glance
- Party
- Libertarian
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Montana
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Pharmacy owner (Pharm406) and farmer
- Website
- kyleaustinmt.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 18newsFour-candidate town hall scheduled in Billings at Lincoln Center
A local event listing announced a four-candidate town hall for October 18 in Billings. As of October 11, the event was scheduled but had not yet taken place.
Four Candidates For Montana's Senate Seat Meet Voters At Lincoln Center In Billings On October 18 - NewsBreak · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 11debateAustin participates in first four-candidate Montana U.S. Senate debate in Bozeman
Austin joined Alme, Bankhead and Bodnar in a 90-minute debate hosted by the Montana Broadcasters Association and Greater Montana Foundation. He promoted his Healthcare 2.0 plan, criticized Bodnar's endorsement from former Sen. Jon Tester, criticized Alme over law-enforcement raids, and stated opposition to U.S. involvement in Iran: 'No, I do not defend the war in Iran and I do not believe we should be there.'
Montana U.S. Senate race: Alme, Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin debate issues impacting Montanans · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsAustin proposes 'Healthcare 2.0' consolidating federal health programs under nonprofit framework
In a Montana Free Press candidate questionnaire, Austin described 'Healthcare 2.0,' a proposal to bring Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, ACA subsidies, VA, Tricare and federal employee coverage under a congressionally chartered nonprofit with a common administrative framework, funded initially from existing federal health appropriations.
How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to tackle healthcare · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsProfile: Austin touts business experience and reveals lawsuit over prescription-data privacy
KTVQ reported that Austin, a Billings pharmacy owner and farmer, has sued Montana over the collection, retention and use of prescription and medical information including through the Montana Prescription Drug Registry. The article also noted his earlier Republican runs for U.S. House before his Libertarian Senate campaign and described his campaign as largely self-financed (about $262,195 in receipts through June 30).
Kyle Austin touts business experience in bid as Libertarian for U.S. ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsAustin outlines economic priorities in Montana Free Press questionnaire
Austin said his economic priorities include speeding energy-project permitting, reducing federal regulations, and reducing or removing tariffs on goods from allied countries.
How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to make life more ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 11pollPoll shows Austin at 5% in Montana U.S. Senate race
A Montana Free Press–Rutgers Eagleton poll conducted August 27–September 7 (n=845, MOE ±4.2 pp) found Austin at 5%, compared with Kurt Alme at 38%, Seth Bodnar at 30%, and Alani Bankhead at 16%.
Alme holds an 8-point lead over Bodnar in Senate race · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2filingKyle Austin wins Libertarian primary, defeating Tom Jandron
Austin won the Libertarian primary on June 2, defeating Tom Jandron, securing his place as the Libertarian candidate in Montana's U.S. Senate race.
Kyle Austin — 2026 Montana U.S. Senate Election | Smarter.Vote · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $251K
- Spent
- $242K
- Cash on hand
- $8,751
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6MT00261(opens in a new tab)
Sources 12
- [1] Montana U.S. Senate candidates square off in debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Montana U.S. Senate race: Alme, Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Montana U.S. Senate race: Alme, Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin debate issues impacting Montanans(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [4] Kyle Austin | U.S. Senate | 2026 Montana Election Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [5] Four Candidates For Montana's Senate Seat Meet Voters At Lincoln Center In Billings On October 18 - NewsBreak(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [6] How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to tackle healthcare(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [7] Kyle Austin — 2026 Montana U.S. Senate Election | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [8] Kyle Austin touts business experience in bid as Libertarian for U.S. ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [9] How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to make life more ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [10] Alme holds an 8-point lead over Bodnar in Senate race(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
- [11] Q&A: Kyle Austin, Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate(opens in a new tab) May 6, 2026
- [12] Support Kyle Austin for U.S. Senate | Advocate for Montana's ...(opens in a new tab) Apr 5, 2026