Hunt & Fox Law, People

Jim has a Bachelor of Arts and a law degree from the University of Montana. He lives with his wife, Barbara in Helena. They have two daughters together. Jim was raised in Chester, Montana, and graduated from Helena High School. 

Jim is a lawyer and was previously an adjunct professor at the University of Montana. He is a retired lieutenant colonel from the Montana Army National Guard. 

Ballotpedia, Jim Hunt

This is Jim Hunt's first entry into politics. 

Montana Free Press, Jim Hunt

Opposed Governor Gianforte's property tax increases and said, "I will fight for tax fairness for Montana homeowners so they [see] increasing property taxes while big corporations and utilities get property tax cuts."

Suggests tax incentives for landlords who provide affordable housing.

- Opposed Governor Gianforte's property tax increases and said, "I will fight for tax fairness for Montana homeowners so they [see] increasing property taxes while big corporations and utilities get property tax cuts."
- Suggests tax incentives for landlords who provide affordable housing.

Economy

Believes the school funding system in Montana needs to change and said, "I support a system that ensures [equal] funding for all school systems."

- Believes the school funding system in Montana needs to change and said, "I support a system that ensures [equal] funding for all school systems."

Education

As of June 16, 2025, Jim Hunt did not have a website or any information online.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

Energy & the Environment

Supports reauthorizing Montana’s expanded Medicaid program in 2025.

Wants to "keep the government out of our private health care decisions."

- Supports abortion access.
- Supports reauthorizing Montana’s expanded Medicaid program in 2025.
- Wants to "keep the government out of our private health care decisions."

Healthcare

Jim Hunt

Ryan and his wife Sara have two sons and live in Kalispell, Montana. 

Ryan was a senior sales executive at a major firearms company for more than 25 years. He wrote a book about his experience in the industry in 2021, titled “Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America."

KTVQ: 'People cannot afford to live here': Gubernatorial challenger Ryan Busse talks property tax relief

This is Ryan Busse's first time running for political office.

Montana Public Radio: Gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse outlines his policy goals

Daily Montanan: Democrat Busse outlines policy priorities in campaign for Montana governor

Believes that "corporations and the wealthy should pay their fair share in taxes."

Opposes a statewide sales tax, which he says would disproportionately hurt working families.

Said he would invest more state dollars into affordable housing.

Pledged to send any rebate checks directly to homeowners rather than make them apply and to end Gianforte’s property tax task force and work on housing and tax solutions.

- Believes that "corporations and the wealthy should pay their fair share in taxes."
- Opposes a statewide sales tax, which he says would disproportionately hurt working families.
- Said he would invest more state dollars into affordable housing.
- Pledged to send any rebate checks directly to homeowners rather than make them apply and to end Gianforte’s property tax task force and work on housing and tax solutions.

Opposes using taxpayer money to fund private and religious charter schools without public school oversight.

Aims to work closely with teachers to ensure fair pay, fair benefits, and safe working conditions.

Said he would invest more state dollars into public education.

- Opposes using taxpayer money to fund private and religious charter schools without public school oversight.
- Aims to work closely with teachers to ensure fair pay, fair benefits, and safe working conditions.
- Said he would invest more state dollars into public education.

As of June 16, 2025, Ryan Busse’s website did not contain information on this issue.

According to his website, "believes in majority rule, free and fair elections, and the right of all eligible citizens to vote without difficulty, confusion or harassment."

- According to his website, "believes in majority rule, free and fair elections, and the right of all eligible citizens to vote without difficulty, confusion or harassment."

Huffpost: An Ex-Gun Industry Executive — And Democrat — Looks To Become Montana’s Next Governor

Opposes gun industry marketing practices which he says "encourage violence and radicalization."

- Opposes gun industry marketing practices which he says "encourage violence and radicalization."
- Opposes open-carry laws.

Aims to uphold Montana's Constitution’s guaranteed right of a “clean and healthful environment.”

Opposes any effort to limit access to, privatize, or sell public lands, or to transfer management of federal public lands to states.

- Aims to uphold Montana's Constitution’s guaranteed right of a “clean and healthful environment.”
- Opposes any effort to limit access to, privatize, or sell public lands, or to transfer management of federal public lands to states.

Pledges to keep Medicaid expansion in place.

- Supports abortion availability.
- Pledges to keep Medicaid expansion in place.

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Ryan Busse

- The Governor is the chief executive of the state and is tasked with faithfully carrying out the laws of the state. 
- The Governor prepares the annual state budget, meaning they recommend how money gets divided between various government divisions, such as police, education, healthcare, and roads. This budget must be approved by state lawmakers.
- The Governor has significant power over what laws get made in the state. They advocate for their legislative agenda. They also can veto legislation passed by the state legislature. 
- The Governor is elected for a four-year term, with a limit of 2 terms every 16 years.

The chief executive of the state, who plays a significant role in the laws made every year

Montana Governor, Democratic Primary

Election results

Candidates (2)

Compare candidates