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Kyle Austin

Libertarian candidate for United States Senator, Montana · Open seat

Pharmacist and owner of Pharm406, a pharmacy business in Billings

Kyle Austin is a pharmacist from Billings who owns the pharmacy business Pharm406. He ran twice as a Republican for Montana's eastern U.S. House seat, then switched to the Libertarian Party. He won the June 2, 2026 Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate with 53.3% of the vote over Tom Jandron and is the party's nominee in the November 3 general election.

Where Austin stands

War powers: Says the War Powers Resolution of 1973 should be enforced. Supports the president being able to act quickly, with troops withdrawn within 60 days unless Congress authorizes further force.
Rural health care: Proposes a plan he calls "Healthcare 2.0" to overhaul the health system. He says it would remove annual deductibles, lower premiums and raise payments to providers at no added cost to taxpayers.
Healthcare: Says his "Healthcare 2.0" plan would create one set of rules and require payers to pay providers what they are worth. He has said recent changes to Medicaid could cause eligible Montanans to lose coverage.
Cost of living and housing: Proposes working to lower interest rates, reducing barriers that raise construction costs, eliminating tariffs on building supplies, and promoting responsible logging and lumber mills in Montana.
Federal spending: Proposes cutting what he calls wasteful federal spending and government overreach, deregulating businesses and lowering taxes for everyone. He has also said he is concerned about the size of the federal government and the national debt.
Trade and tariffs: Says farmers and ranchers should be kept out of trade wars and supports zero tariffs on construction supplies. He has said President Trump's tariff policies are misdirected.
Immigration: Supports a lawful, faster immigration system with stronger border security, more legal pathways and due process. Proposes asylum screenings within 7 days, a 30-day goal for final decisions, and more immigration judges.
Data centers: Says there is no stopping AI and data centers but that safeguards are needed. He has suggested putting data centers in space or in the ocean.
Social Security: Proposes individual trust funds so that a worker's contributions stay with that worker instead of paying current retirees. He says retirement money should be "your money, not the government's money."
Agriculture: Proposes overhauling the USDA, offering 0% USDA financing to farmers and ranchers, addressing what he calls market fraud, and supporting fertilizer plants in the U.S. to reduce reliance on imports.

Background

Owner of Pharm406, a pharmacy business in Billings
Pharmacist in Montana for about 18 years
Ph.D., University of Montana, 2008 (per Ballotpedia)
Describes himself as a 4th-generation Montanan with a background in farming
Ran twice for Montana's eastern U.S. House seat as a Republican, including in 2024
Won the 2026 Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate with 1,819 votes (53.3%) to Tom Jandron's 1,592

In the news

Montana candidates on the issues: immigration Montana Free Press, October 14, 2026
Montana US Senate candidates share debate stage Daily Montanan, October 12, 2026

Also running for United States Senator

Kurt Alme Republican
Alani Bankhead Democratic
Seth Bodnar Independent

Sources

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.