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Legislative leaders name committee chairs
Committee leadership roles for the 2021 legislative session made public this week indicate that pragmatic Republicans in the Legislature’s “Solutions Caucus” faction will continue to play key roles in shaping state policy as Montana enters a new world of unified Republican control.
Latest Politics Reporting
Updated: Gianforte begins transition with advisory appointments
Gov.-elect Greg Gianforte enlists dozens of Montanans to help plan a COVID-19 response and pick new leadership for state agencies as he prepares his transition into office.
Bullock says cuts aren’t necessary to balance the state budget
The outgoing Democratic governor’s final budget proposal specifies no cuts and no tax increases — and throws down a gauntlet for Republican Gov.-elect Gianforte, who has pledged to lower taxes.
Politicos explain Montana’s red wave
In interviews with Montana Free Press, nearly a dozen elected officials, campaign strategists, and political analysts described what they believe are the reasons behind the results, citing the popularity of President Trump and national attacks against the Democratic Party and the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic fallout and the ways in which the virus complicated campaign strategy.
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MORE POLITICAL COVERAGE
How Montanans voted, precinct by precinct
Record-breaking turnout colored much — but not all — of Montana red this year. As vote counting draws to a close, explore the results with our interactive map.
Montana candidates in the news
Daines, Bullock, Williams, Rosendale, Gianforte, Cooney, and more in MTFP’s weekly roundup of statewide campaign news.
Would he or wouldn’t he?
Under attack by challenger Steve Bullock, incumbent Sen. Steve Daines insists he’ll protect patients with preexisting conditions — even as he works to overturn the law protecting them. Insurance experts say that doesn’t add up.
National groups fuel political blitz
With the contest between incumbent U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and term-limited Gov. Steve Bullock among the country’s closest U.S. Senate races, political dollars have surged into the race from around the nation, funding the steady barrage of mailers and political advertisements now pelting Montana voters.
Bullock, Daines, and a purple state’s growing pains
As one of the few races that could tip the balance of power in Washington, D.C., Montana’s Senate race has become increasingly nationalized, vicious and expensive.
Montana candidates in the news
Daines, Bullock, Williams, Rosendale, Romano, Arntzen and more in MTFP’s weekly roundup of statewide campaign news.
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MORE POLITICAL REPORTING
Shared State
In this final episode of Shared State: who won the election, what do the results say about Montana, and where are we headed?
Shared State
John Adams tracks how influence, corruption and money have shaped Montana, from the Copper Kings to the Disclose Act to the ad YouTube just showed you.
When local news isn’t local
While Montana’s media landscape has for years included left- and right-leaning political blogs authored by resident partisans, Big Sky Times and eight other Montana-focused sites affiliated with Metric Media represent a new trend: digital news outlets that present themselves as community news sites even though they operate without a local editorial staff and appear to promote a political agenda.
Shared State
Differing perspectives on the meaning of ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ are competing for primacy as Montana struggles to implement public health measures and COVID-19 cases spike.
Montana candidates in the news
Steve Bullock, Steve Daines and more in MTFP’s weekly roundup of statewide campaign coverage for the week of Oct. 19.
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