Patrick
McCracken
Libertarian candidate Patrick McCracken is challenging incumbent Rep. Troy Downing in Montana's 2nd Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Patrick McCracken is the Libertarian Party candidate for Montana's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026, general election, challenging Republican incumbent Troy Downing. He is a fourth-generation Montanan who describes having spent virtually his entire life in the state, and lists a home address in Columbia Falls. 2413
Before entering politics, McCracken worked as a financial advisor for approximately ten years and said he has spent more than 20 years working with Montanans and other Americans on their financial lives. He attended Billings West High School and studied in Bozeman, though the specific institution and degree are not named in available sources. 2
McCracken has no prior elected office documented in the sources reviewed. He is not the incumbent for the seat. In a 2026 interview with Montana Public Radio, he described his motivation as bringing a Libertarian perspective to represent eastern Montana in the U.S. House. 2410
At a glance
- Party
- Libertarian
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, Montana
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- mccrackenformontana.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 9newsMail ballots begin going out for Montana general election, including MT-2 race featuring McCracken
Montana Public Radio reported that mail ballots were being sent to voters starting October 9 for the November 3 general election, in which McCracken is the Libertarian candidate facing Republican incumbent Troy Downing, Democrat Brian Miller, and independent Michael Eisenhauer.
Republican incumbent faces three challengers to represent eastern ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsMcCracken details healthcare proposals in Montana Free Press questionnaire
Montana Free Press published McCracken's responses to a healthcare questionnaire. He described his family's coverage costs and proposed requiring hospitals and clinics to post cash prices and opening catastrophic plans to all Americans.
How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to tackle healthcare · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsMontana Public Radio profiles McCracken; reports he has not raised the $5,000 FEC reporting threshold
Montana Public Radio reported on McCracken's proposal to end the Federal Reserve and quoted him saying 'Inflation is a choice by the monetary authorities.' The outlet also noted he had not raised the $5,000 threshold requiring FEC reporting, contrasting with incumbent Troy Downing's $2 million-plus raised.
Republican incumbent faces three challengers to represent eastern ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsMcCracken outlines foreign policy and inflation positions in Montana Free Press questionnaire
In a Montana Free Press candidate questionnaire, McCracken said the U.S. should not fund the Ukraine or Iran conflicts, called war 'the root cause of our current wave of inflation,' and said he would seek a war-powers resolution and reintroduce the Federal Reserve Transparency Act.
How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to make life more ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2filingMcCracken wins Libertarian primary for Montana's 2nd Congressional District with 1,846 votes
Patrick McCracken secured the Libertarian Party nomination for Montana's MT-2 House race in the June 2 primary, receiving 1,846 votes according to a results tracker.
Troy Downing — MT-02 voting record · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Montana Libertarian Party organizationThe Montana Libertarian Party's 2026 candidates page states it 'proudly endorses Patrick McCracken' for Montana's 2nd Congressional District in the 2026 general election. No specific date for the endorsement is given. mtlp.org
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $0
- Spent
- $0
- Cash on hand
- $0
Reporting date not available. ↳ FEC record H6MT02176(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] Patrick McCracken | U.S. House District 2 (East)(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] 2026 Candidates — Montana Libertarian Party(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to tackle healthcare(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [4] Republican incumbent faces three challengers to represent eastern ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [5] How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to make life more ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [6] Troy Downing — MT-02 voting record(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [7] Is Montana having a Libertarian moment?(opens in a new tab) Mar 18, 2026