January 21, 2026
New polling from RABA Research shows strong opposition from Montana voters to Bureau of Land Management Director nominee Steve Pearce and a clear political upside for senators who vote against his confirmation. The poll included 503 interviews among voters in Montana and was conducted January 16-18, 2026 via an online survey.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- 75% oppose Pearce’s nomination (59% strongly oppose). Notably, 74% of Montana Republicans oppose Pearce’s nomination.
- 80% say his oil and gas business connections create an inappropriate conflict
- 90% are concerned about impacts of his confirmation to grazing, hunting, and fishing access
- 62% would view Senator Daines and Senator Sheehy more favorably for opposing Pearce. Importantly, 64% of Republicans would view Senator Daines and Senator Sheehy more favorably for opposing Pearce
Public lands are a rare unifying issue in Montana, cutting across party lines. Pearce’s record places him well outside the mainstream, creating broad, bipartisan resistance to his confirmation.
KEY FINDINGS
Public Lands Are a Consensus Issue in Montana
Voters overwhelmingly view public lands as central to Montana’s identity and economy:
- 82% say public lands are very important (97% very/somewhat important)
- 86% say public lands strengthen the economy
- 84% support protecting public lands and keeping them public; just 6% favor sale or transfer
Pearce’s Nomination Is Broadly Rejected
After hearing Pearce’s public lands record, voters decisively oppose his confirmation:
- 75% disagree with his public lands philosophy (61% strongly disagree)
- Just 10% support his nomination; 75% oppose
- 80% say his oil and gas business connections is an inappropriate conflict of interest
- 90% are concerned about impacts to hunting, fishing, and grazing access
Voting Against Pearce Carries Clear Political Upside
Opposing Pearce offers senators substantial electoral benefits with minimal downside:
- 62% would view their senator more favorably if they vote no; just 16% less favorably
In Montana, public lands unite voters across ideology and opposing Pearce aligns senators with a bipartisan majority.