Montana Democratic Party’s Statement on Failed Gubernatorial Candidate Greg Gianforte Entering 2020 Gubernatorial Race

Helena, Mont. – Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Monica Lindeen today issued the following statement after failed gubernatorial candidate and Montana’s current at-large representative in the U.S. House of Representatives Greg Gianforte filed for the 2020 gubernatorial race:

“Montanans already rejected Greg Gianforte for governor once – and it’s no surprise why,” Lindeen said. “Gianforte poured millions into his own failed campaign while supporting a statewide sales tax increase on middle-class Montana families, and then voted for tax breaks for corporations and out-of-touch millionaires like himself. He’s thrown his support behind efforts to take health care away from hardworking Montanans and fought to block public access. Gianforte failed us in Congress and would certainly fail us in our state’s Capitol. Montanans deserve better than Greg Gianforte.” 

Gianforte has consistently voted against the interests of Montanans. Most recently, hevoted against two bills to protect Montanans with preexisting conditions. He supported the Graham-Cassidy health proposal, which would drive up the cost of health insurance for consumers.

He fought to block public access to a Montana river. He donated $800,000 to U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy – almost 15 times more money than the average Montana family makes in a year — and donated millions of dollars to his own failed campaign.

He also supported a statewide sales tax on middle-class Montana families and then voted for tax breaks for millionaires like himself. Gianforte urged patience during the ongoing trade war that is hurting Montana farmers, cost the average American household more than $400 dollars in 2018 and is projected to cost twice that in 2019.