Gianforte is too Scared to Take the Debate Stage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 26, 2024

CONTACT
gaby@montanademocrats.org

Helena, MT –Governor Greg Gianforte is refusing another debate invitation this week from the City Club of Missoula, while Democratic candidate Ryan Busse says he’s ready to debate in an open forum so Montana voters understand the stakes of this race and their visions for the future of the state.

Last month, candidate Busse agreed to a televised, nonpartisan debate sponsored by Montana PBS, Montana Public Radio, Yellowstone Public Radio and Lee Newspapers scheduled for October 7th. Busse accepted a second invitation to debate next month from the City Club of Missoula, which is hosting other debates among Montana’s statewide candidates.  Meanwhile, Gianforte is hiding from voters and refusing to accept either invitation.

Busse says debates are an important part of an election and Montanans deserve a governor who’s not afraid to take the stage.

“Gianforte is the most inaccessible, out-of-touch governor Montanans have ever dealt with, and it tells you everything you need to know that he won’t even stand up in an open forum and defend his own record,” Busse said. “He’s been too busy raising our property taxes, lowering his own taxes, illegally using our tax money to benefit himself, and believing he’s too above the law to even give a damn.”

“Gianforte knows he’s unpopular and can’t defend his tax hike without blatantly lying about who’s to blame, which is why he wants to stay out of the hot seat,”said Executive Director Sheila Hogan of the Montana Democratic Party.“He doesn’t want to get grilled on live TV about the property tax crisis he created in Montana and knows he will get picked apart for his dangerous, extremist record of restricting reproductive freedom.” 

###