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U.S. midterms result in wave of historic firsts
Political analyst Richard Gordon joins LiveNOW from FOX's Carel Lajara to recap the United States' historic midterm election results.
Sam Forstag, a 32-year-old "smoke jumper" and union leader from Montana, has flipped another Republican-held House seat for Democrats.
Forstag defeated Trump-backed conservative radio host Aaron Flint, becoming the first Democrat elected to the House in Montana in more than 30 years. It’s one of more than 40 Republican-held seats Democrats have flipped in a historic midterm election.
Democratic candidate Sam Forstag speaks to supporters and celebrates with his campaign staff during an election night event on November 3, 2026 in Missoula, Montana. (Photo by William Campbell/Getty Images)
Who is Sam Forstag?
The backstory:
Forstag, 32, is a union leader and wildland firefighter. He pitched himself to voters as a candidate of modest means who’s struggled financially like many in his generation while government officials insist the economy is fine.
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What they're saying:
"What we’ve seen in the last years is a little similar to what we saw the last Democratic administration do, that left a whole lot of folks in my generation feeling alienated and lied to," Forstag told the AP.
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Forstag was born the same year Montana voters last sent a Democrat to the House — 1994. He described his campaign as a "ragtag team of 20- and 30-year-olds" sending a message to the country about working-class people fighting for themselves.
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"We aren’t just winning; we’re winning with authority, sending a message about what can happen when working people come together," Forstag said after the election Tuesday night.
"We can again be a state that bends the course of this country’s history for the better."
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What is a smoke jumper?
Dig deeper:
According to the U.S. Forest Service, smoke jumpers are highly trained, experienced firefighters who travel across the country " for quick initial attack on wildland fires in remote areas."
"Fire fighting tools, food and water are dropped by parachute to the firefighters after they land near the fire making them self-sufficient for the first 48 hours," the Forest Service explained.
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The Forest Service employs about 320 smoke jumpers based in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, California and Washington.
"Smokejumper duties can be hazardous and extremely arduous," the Forest Service said. "Smokejumpers must be in excellent physical condition and possess a high degree of emotional stability and mental alertness."
The Source: This article includes information from The Associated Press, The New York Times, the U.S. Forest Service and previous FOX Local reporting.