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Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has declined to debate Democratic challenger Ryan Busse, whom the governor’s campaign repeatedly called “unhinged” and lacking credibility.
The announcement, issued Aug. 27 by the Gianforte campaign, comes 45 days before absentee voting begins. The campaign cited several remarks by Busse that it found offensive, including instances in which the Democrat referred to Republicans as Nazis and fascists.
This would be the first general election in memory that the Montana governor’s race didn’t include a debate.
“If Gianforte is not held to account for dodging a legitimate debate, Montanans may never see a political debate again,” Busse campaign manager Aaron Murphy said in a press release. “Gianforte’s refusal to participate should also not result in Montana voters being denied an opportunity to hear from willing candidates who have the courage to answer tough questions from the press and from voters.”
Gianforte campaign manager Jake Eaton said it is unlikely that Gianforte sharing a stage with Busse would result in an exchange of ideas on public policy. Asked if refusing to debate Busse might have political consequences, Eaton referred to Republican polling he said suggested Gianforte has had an advantage of roughly 20 percentage points since before the primary election.
Busse criticized the incumbent’s decision in a press release: “Governor, for someone who’s infamously known for assaulting another man, then lying to police about it, we find it rich that you’re suddenly offended by tough language and accountability. Not debating me is proof you’re in political hot water, and you know it. Your harebrained excuses are whiney, wimpy, and almost as embarrassing as your failure as governor.”
Gianforte isn’t the first Montana incumbent to decline a debate. Others have eventually reconsidered.
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