featured
Is Tester’s time up?
Montana’s senior senator has made a career out of staying one step ahead of the state’s rising red tide. Now the last Montana Democrat in statewide office is counting on split-ticket Trump voters to keep him out of retirement.

2024 ELECTION GUIDE
The Montana Free Press 2024 election guide includes information on candidates, issue positions and legislative districts.
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major stories
Tester, Sheehy make closing arguments at Missoula debate
Montana’s major party candidates for U.S. Senate exchanged parting shots Monday in a final debate before in-person voting begins Oct 8.
Is Tester’s time up?
Montana’s senior senator has made a career out of staying one step ahead of the state’s rising red tide. Now the last Montana Democrat in statewide office is counting on split-ticket Trump voters to keep him out of retirement.
Zinke, Tranel face off in first western district House debate
As a tightening race approaches November, the candidates tussle over abortion, border security and Zinke’s Airbnb
Montana’s undercard U.S. House race
Overshadowed by one of the biggest Senate races in the country, Ryan Zinke and Monica Tranel battle it out for Montana’s western House seat.
Housing and the western district House race
Western District incumbent Rep. Ryan Zinke and challenger Monica Tranel offer different ideas to address Montana’s housing crisis. Here are their plans.
Gianforte, Busse appear in governor’s race debate
Montana’s Republican governor and his Democratic challenger appeared together in the first, and perhaps last, debate before the Nov. 5 election.
Gov. Gianforte’s foundation has given away $57 million since 2017. Here’s where it went.
How the Republican governor and former congressman steered his family foundation’s charitable contributions while in public office.
In reelection bid, Gianforte’s economic record is on the ballot
As the incumbent governor campaigns on his record, Democratic challenger Ryan Busse argues Republican leadership has failed working-class residents.
The race for Montana’s top election administrator
Democrat Jesse Mullen and Libertarian John Lamb take aim at Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen’s record on election oversight.
The race to replace Arntzen
Two seasoned education leaders vie to take the helm at Montana’s hard-pressed Office of Public Instruction.
Surging insurance rates put spotlight on race for state auditor
Republican James Brown and Democrat John Repke square off to become Montana’s top consumer watchdog.
Supreme Court candidates dodge, and leverage, political rhetoric
While Bidegaray and Wilson try to rise above the political fray, Lynch and Swanson ‘punch back.’
Colstrip, climate and electricity rates loom large in utility board race
Voters in districts two and three will fill two open seats on the Montana Public Service Commission.
Independent candidate challenges incumbent Republican for Montana utility board seat
Public Service Commission vice chair Jennifer Fielder and Elena Evans, a political newcomer, talk rate hikes, climate and PSC agency culture.
Twin constitutional initiatives aim to make Montana elections more competitive
Part of a national debate over outside money and political extremism, CI-126 and CI-127 ask voters to make deep changes to primary and general elections.

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