Campaign Beat

A former Republican governor of Montana chastises his party for downplaying the January 6th insurrection. A former Republican congressman (and current congressional candidate) from Montana is chastised for ethics violations. And voters may see an initiative on the ballot that could lower their property taxes and hurt funding for local services.

For the first time in 30 years, Montanans will be voting to send two representatives to the U.S. House, one from the Eastern District and one from the West. MTPR's Sally Mauk, Lee Newspapers State News Bureau Chief Holly Michels and University of Montana Political Science Professor and Mansfield Center fellow Rob Saldin talk about the fundraising race, name recognition and why the conventional wisdom about voter turnout may not apply anymore.

The Republican messaging in this election clearly won over voters. The conservative Republican agenda includes tax cuts and fewer regulations. Now, can Republicans deliver on their prosperity promises?

Voter turnout in Montana could break an all-time record. A new poll shows the governor's race tightening. New ads in that race look to make closing arguments. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie is the victim of a Cooney campaign dirty trick. Senator Daines brings Cruz, Rubio and Don Jr. into the state for some last minute campaigning. And we may not know who won the top races until the day after election night.

Greg Gianforte writes himself another big check in the governor race. Neither candidate for that office wants to answer hard questions about dealing with the pandemic. And both our gubernatorial and Senate races are getting plenty of national attention.

If a new poll is correct, it's going to be a suspenseful election night in Montana. Fundraising in the Senate race is off the charts. The Senate candidates take turns accusing each other of being a party hack. The Missoulian newspaper tries to clean up a mess over a controversial endorsement. A new ad in the House race features a talking elk. And candidates in the the state auditor's race try to gain some voter attention

The new governor will either uphold Montanans' access to legal abortion or restrict that access. New TV ads in the Senate race question, and defend Gov. Bullock's treatment of women. New polls in that race show contradictory results. And the two candidates for Secretary of State differ on whether Montanans should vote by mail.

The Trump campaign attempt to derail all-mail voting in Montana is shut down in court. Montana's U.S. Senate candidate hold a spirited but civil debate. President Trump's widely denounced debate behavior — and his COVID diagnosis — may throw a wrench into down ballot races. AARP wishes candidates would stop using them in their campaign ads. House candidate Kathleen Williams tries to be coy about her pick for president. And former governor and lifelong Republican, Marc Racicot, says Biden is the right pick for president.

Montana's House candidates have their first debate. Ads in that race try to paint the other as the "outsider." The battle to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg's court seat could impact Montana's Senate race. Health care and science dominate the race for governor. And marijuana returns to the ballot.

Democrats charge Republicans with shenanigans over the meeting of a legislative rules committee, Montana Republican candidates get a boost from Vice-President Pence and new ads in the U.S. Senate race feature veterans.