Troy Downing
Troy Downing (born March 4, 1967)[1] is an American politician and businessman serving as the Montana state auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance.[2] Prior to the 2020 election, Downing worked as a real estate developer and technology entrepreneur.

Troy Downing | |
---|---|
Montana State Auditor | |
Assumed office January 4, 2021 | |
Governor | Greg Gianforte |
Preceded by | Matt Rosendale |
Personal details | |
Born | California, U.S. | March 4, 1967
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Heather Downing (m. 2004) |
Children | 4 |
Education | New York University (BS) |
Occupation | Politician, Businessman, Entrepreneur |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan |
Early life and education
Downing is a native of Indio, California. He earned a Bachelor of Science in applied mathematics and computer science from New York University.[3]
Career
Downing was a research scientist and educator at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University.[2] After college, Downing founded WebCal, a web calendar company that was later acquired by Yahoo!. Downing later founded a nationwide commercial insurance company and a real estate firm.[2] Downing enlisted in the United States Air Force in a Combat Search and Rescue squadron after the September 11 attacks.[2] During his service, Downing worked as a pilot and engineer and was deployed to Afghanistan twice.[4][5] Downing is the founder and former CEO of AC Self Storage Solutions, a self-storage and real estate investment firm based in Carlsbad, California.[6]
Troy Downing is the co-owner of Wildrye Distilling in Bozeman, MT that manufactured thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

Downing was a candidate in the 2018 United States Senate election in Montana, placing third in the Republican primary.[8] Downing was elected Montana state auditor in the 2020 election.
Personal life
Downing is an advisory board member and volunteer for the Warriors and Quiet Waters (WQW) Foundation.[2]
Downing built a home in Big Sky, Montana in 2000 and moved there full-time in 2009.[9] In 2005, Downing was accused of abuse and failure to pay child support by an ex-wife.[10] During the 2020 election, after court documents were released, he denied the allegations.[8][11]
In 2017, Downing was charged with hunting license violations.[12][13]
Downing and his wife, Heather, have four children.[2]
Montana State Auditor
Election

Troy Downing contended with Missoula Businessman Scott Tuxbury and Nelly Nicol for the Republican nomination for State Auditor in the 2020 Montana Primary Election.[14] On June 2, 2020, Downing was nominated to be the Republican candidate for State Auditor winning 55 of 56 counties and receiving 50% of the vote in the three-way primary.[14]
In the general election, Troy Downing defeated Montana State Senator Shane Morigeau.[14]
Downing was sworn in as State Auditor on January 4, 2020.
References
- "Biographical information on Troy Downing". AP NEWS. June 4, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- "Meet Troy Downing". Troy Downing for Montana State Auditor. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- Lucas, David (September 1, 2017). "Troy Downing, CEO, AC Self Storage Solutions, Big Sky, Mont". Mini Storage Messenger. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- "Troy Downing". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- Aadl, Chris (November 4, 2020). "Downing wins election as state auditor". Montana Free Press. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- Alexander Harris (May 30, 2017). "Exclusive: Downing eyes move from self-storage to the U.S. Senate". The SpareFoot Storage Beat. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- "From spirits to hand sanitizer: Bozeman distillery helping meet supply needs for first responders". KBZK News. March 24, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- Rogers, Rob. "Divorce and old threats emerge in state auditor race". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- "Troy Downing enters 2020 state auditor race". KBZK. June 26, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- Pogreba, Don (October 16, 2020). "State Auditor Candidate Troy Downing Accused of Threatening to Kill His Ex Wife, Tried to Shirk Child Support Obligations". The Montana Post. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ROGERS, ROB. "Downing enjoys comfortable lead in state auditor race". Montana Standard. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- Blois, Matt. "Candidate Troy Downing Charged With Hunting License Violations". www.mtpr.org. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- "Where are the Montana Republicans?". Flathead Beacon. September 21, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- "Troy Downing". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 3, 2023.