Democrat Monica Tranel and Republican Ryan Zinke competed for the seat in the Montana U.S. House western congressional district.
Montana congressional candidates continue to roll up big fundraising numbers, although well below the top-ticket race for U.S. Senate.
Republican U.S. Rep Ryan Zinke’s re-election campaign reported raising $1.7 million in the latest quarter, from April through the end of June. That brings his haul this cycle just short of $7 million, already surpassing the $6.6 million raised over the entire 2022 midterm election.
Zinke moved into July with about $3 million cash on hand after spending roughly $455,000 in the last six weeks.
Zinke is facing a rematch this November from Democrat Monica Tranel, who came within striking distance of the incumbent in 2022, the first matchup for Montana’s newly drawn western congressional district.
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Tranel’s second quarter brought in $1.15 million, bringing her total this election to just over $3 million with four months until Election Day. That tally is right about where her fundraising capped out at the end of the 2022 contest.
Tranel’s campaign said the quarter total was a record for any Democratic campaign for the U.S. House in Montana.
“Montanans are rallying behind my campaign because we want a representative who works for us — the Montana I know, and live in every day — in Congress,” Tranel said in an emailed statement. “Ryan Zinke’s Santa Barbara-D.C. Beltway campaign, backed by billionaires, big corporations, and out-of-state money, takes Montanans for granted. It’s time for him to account for his corruption and lies. He can go back to the beach.”
Zinke’s campaign likewise took a swipe at the Democratic challenger.
“Ryan Zinke continues to out-perform perennial failed candidate Monica Tranel in every aspect of this campaign,” campaign manager Heather Swift said Tuesday. “Now, like the radical environmental lawyer she is, Tranel has resorted to taking money from George Soros’ son to try and buy this race.”
Outside spending has not yet touched down in the western congressional district contest in a meaningful way. The race for U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s seat, for example, has already seen $24.4 million in spending by outside groups.
Asymmetrical fundraisers
In the eastern congressional district, which is deeply Republican, GOP candidate Troy Downing reported raising about $1.1 million over the quarter and spent $1.3 million. Downing faced a crowded GOP primary in June where which he emerged with 36% of the vote. Downing over the campaign has loaned himself a total of just over $1 million. He ended the period with $96,361 cash on hand.
His opponent, John Driscoll, has not reported raising or spending any money on his race.
Seaborn Larson has worked for the Montana State News Bureau since 2020. His past work includes local crime and courts reporting at the Missoulian and Great Falls Tribune, and daily news reporting at the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell.
