Troy Downing, CEO of California-based AC Self Storage Solutions, has announced his plans to run for a U.S. Senate seat in 2018.
Downing, a Republican, seeks to replace Democrat Jon Tester. A second Republican is also running, state Senator Al Olszewski.
Downing’s company owns and operates more than one million square feet of storage space in five states. He is an active member of the self-storage industry, serving as a board member of Charity Storage.
Downing became a full-time Montana resident several years ago where he owns a home in Big Sky, according to U.S. News and World Report. Downing is also an airplane and helicopter pilot. He joined the Air Force after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“I want to be part of the solution preserving the Last Best Place,” Downing told U.S. News, “I’m tired of the dysfunction and the anger that we’re seeing, and I think I have some interesting perspectives.”
The Last Best Place is an unofficial motto of the state.