News broke over the weekend that Vice President Mike Pence had abruptly canceled an appearance at a Sept. 14 fundraiser in Bozeman shortly after revelations emerged about the event’s hosts. However, according to the Associated Press, Pence still planned to attend a campaign rally in Belgrade along with U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and several other Republican 2020 candidates.
Daines continues to face stiff competition from Democratic challenger Gov. Steve Bullock, with yet another poll, released last Friday, showing the two locked in an extremely tight race. The Republican incumbent made a short appearance on KGVO Montana Morning News Friday to offer an update on his latest legislative undertaking. Bullock meanwhile spent last Wednesday touring the Bridger Foothills Fire and visiting with a 94-year-old veteran about his memories of fighting in World War II.
The entire cadre of statewide Democratic contenders, Bullock included, took to Zoom to detail their respective priorities in a virtual political rally hosted for voters in Hill County. Gubernatorial candidate Mike Cooney dedicated much of his portion of the event to criticizing Republican rival Greg Gianforte, but shifted gears later in the week to focus on the rollout of his plan to increase health care access for military veterans. Gianforte followed the campaign trail to the Hi-Line as well, holding a Wednesday roundtable to discuss a particular irrigation issue that’s become central to his message for north-central Montana voters.
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Montana Supreme Court sides with Bozeman county attorney in legal scuffle with state
The Montana Supreme Court has sided unanimously with Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell in her case against Attorney General Austin Knudsen, ruling that Knudsen exceeded his authority when he attempted to take control of Cromwell’s local responsibilities.
Federal lawsuit alleges Blaine County election map shortchanges Native voters
Three Native American residents of Blaine County have filed a lawsuit against Blaine County and its officials, alleging that the county’s election map “is unconstitutionally malapportioned” and dilutes the power of the Native vote. The lawsuit is the latest of several in Montana to challenge a county commissioner voting system.
Lost in transmission: What Super El Niño means for GYE
Compared to Pacific Coast’s specific tide and rain predictions, Greater Yellowstone and Northern Rockies may see muted impact with ‘warmer, drier’ forecast
The latest televised debate from MTN News on Sunday featured a tense showdown between the two candidates for secretary of state. Democrat Bryce Bennett and Republican Christi Jacobsen made quite a contrast, with one promising to fix an office plagued by corruption and the other trumpeting recent efforts to downsize and streamline its operations. And Lee Enterprises’ Holly Michels gave feature treatment to the similarly heated contest for attorney general, including an examination of where the two candidates stand on the current nationwide debate over law enforcement.
Last but not least, the Missoula Current turned its eye Sept. 11 to the often-overlooked race for a seat on the Montana Public Service Commission. This particular piece profiled Democrat Monica Tranel, offering insight into how the spectacle of a single commission meeting convinced the Missoula attorney to throw her hat in the political ring.
See a full archive of statewide media coverage of Montana candidates — plus fundraising numbers, a voting FAQ, and candidate responses to primary questionnaires — at MTFP’s 2020 Election Guide.
