It’s campaign season in Montana — and the political mudslinging is already giving our airwaves and social media networks the aura of a cattle feedlot. As candidates and political committees trade salvos, Montana Free Press will dissect the key political attack lines to dig out the facts embedded in the sludge. This is MuckWatch.
Latest headlines
Dems attack Gianforte for ‘truancy’
Montana’s sole U.S. representative, now running for governor, missed a series of votes to join Vice President Mike Pence on a visit to Billings last year.
GOP ad misrepresents Bullock’s health care stance
An attack ad, which was released in mid-July, states that Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democratic candidate for the Senate, supports a government-run health care program that would wreak havoc on the state’s health care infrastructure. Kaiser Health News rates the claims false.
Early House race attacks focus on states of origin
In Montana, more than half of all adults 25 and older were born someplace else. That’s not stopping candidates for the U.S. House from attacking their opponent’s based on their state-of-origin.
GOP floats a nepotism charge. Butte company cries foul.
National Republican Senatorial Committee advertising tries connect $14 million in state contracts awarded to company associated with Gov. Steve Bullock’s brother to cronyism.
Cooney’s ethics violation opens door for GOP attack
Republican PAC makes hay over ethics ruling against the Democratic candidate for governor.
