Montana’s Republican congressmen are standing by Trump despite his criminal conviction, while Democrat Jon Tester is significantly ahead of his Republican opponent Tim Sheehy in fundraising. Dark money groups are also investing heavily in the Senate race in Montana. The primary on Tuesday will feature interesting contests in the eastern district Republican congressional race and the Republican race for Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court.
Campaign Beat is MTPR’s weekly political analysis program. Sally Mauk from MTPR is joined by Lee Newspapers State Bureau Chief Holly Michels. Lee Banville, Professor of Political Reporting at the University of Montana School of Journalism, is filling in for Rob Saldin this week.
Sally Mauk: Holly and Lee, this past week saw a historic event with a former president being convicted of 34 felony counts. The reaction from Montana’s top politicians, especially Republicans like Holly, largely remained loyal to Trump.
Holly Michels: Republicans in Montana, including Senate candidate Tim Sheehy and Senator Steve Daines, criticized the verdict, with some calling it a ‘state-sponsored political persecution’. Trump’s endorsement of Sheehy played a crucial role in the Senate race. Other prominent Republicans like Representative Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale voiced their support for Trump despite the conviction.
Former state legislator Joel Krautter, who is running in the Republican primary, took a different stance by respecting the jury’s findings and hoping for a more qualified nominee for president. The reactions from Republican candidates aligned with expectations in the party.
Lee Banville: The former president’s conviction has sparked varied reactions, serving as a political Rorschach test for supporters and critics alike. The impact of Trump’s conviction on down-ballot races, such as Montana’s Senate race, will depend on how it resonates with voters moving forward.
Sally Mauk: The latest fundraising numbers show Jon Tester leading in financial support over Tim Sheehy in the Senate race. Outside groups, like Americans for Prosperity, are also influencing the race with issue-based ads targeting specific candidates.
Holly Michels: Jon Tester holds a significant fundraising advantage over Tim Sheehy, reflecting his strong support in the race. Sheehy, a wealthy businessman, has self-financed a considerable amount of his campaign. Tester’s campaign has outspent Sheehy and is gearing up for a competitive general election.
Lee Banville: Fundraising totals don’t paint the full picture of election spending, as outside groups play a crucial role in shaping the race through issue-based messaging. Immigration is a key issue being leveraged by Republicans to target Tester in the Senate race.
Sally Mauk: Tester’s messaging on immigration will be critical in swaying voters in the general election. Primary elections in Montana, including the Eastern District Republican congressional primary and the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court race, are set to be decided on Tuesday.
Holly Michels: The Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court race has garnered attention due to frustrations with the state’s judiciary system. SB Jason Ellsworth is challenging incumbent Bowen Greenwood to address issues related to recent court rulings on election laws.
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