HELENA — Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester is reaching out to ticket-splitting voters as his campaign unveils a list of “Republicans for Tester” who support his reelection.
The group consists of 16 named co-chairs, including current and former state, local, and tribal officeholders, as well as dozens more listed only by first name, last initial, and hometown.
Tester stated, “Montana will always come first for me, and I will take on anyone, from any party, to defend our state. I am grateful to have the support of Montana Republicans who have joined me in fighting for our veterans, protecting our freedoms, and keeping the government out of our personal lives. Montanans sent me to Washington to produce results, not play politics, and together we will win this election and continue fighting to keep Montana strong.”
Some of the co-chairs have had strained relationships with the Montana Republican Party in recent years, especially former Gov. Marc Racicot. Despite this, the list also includes more recently elected officials, like state Sen. Terry Vermeire of Anaconda and former state Rep. Mallerie Stromswold.
Other co-chairs include former Secretary of State and gubernatorial nominee Bob Brown, former state GOP chair Susan Good Geise, former Great Falls mayor Mike Winters, former Gallatin County commissioner Don Seifert, and Columbia Falls city council member Mike Shepard.
The co-chairs expressed their trust in Tester to fight for Montana’s interests, regardless of party affiliation.
In a statement, Racicot said, “For going on three decades I’ve known and worked with Jon Tester as he has tirelessly set about to serve all Montanans, Democrats and Republicans alike.”
Tester, facing a challenge from GOP candidate Tim Sheehy in a state where Donald Trump won by a large margin, will need crossover votes to secure victory. Wade Jones, a Malta farmer and chairman of the Milk River Joint Board of Control, plans to vote for both Trump and Tester.
As Tester’s campaign emphasizes his bipartisan record, Sheehy and other Republicans are linking him to national Democrats. Trump’s visit to Montana to campaign for Sheehy this week is expected to reinforce this narrative.
Republicans for Tester Co-Chairs:
- Marc Racicot, Missoula, former governor and RNC chair
- Bob Brown, Whitefish, former secretary of state
- Mallerie Stromswold, Billings, former state representative
- Mike Winters, Great Falls, former mayor, veteran
- Mike Shepard, Columbia Falls, city council member, veteran
- Mick Ringsak, Butte, former Small Business Administration regional administrator, veteran
- Terry Baker, Kalispell, veteran
- Terry Vermeire, Anaconda, state senator
- Justin Schaaf, Fort Peck, town council member
- Don Seifert, Bozeman, former county commissioner
- Wade Jones, Malta, chairman of Milk River Joint Board of Control
- Dan Hurwitz, Clyde Park, former state representative
- Susan Good Geise, Augusta, former Montana GOP chair and county commissioner
- Patty Quisno, Harlem, Fort Belknap tribal council member
- Warren Morin, Hays, former Fort Belknap Tribal Council member, veteran
- Chuck Butler, Helena, former state Senate Republican chief of staff
