HELENA — Republican Greg Gianforte used $4 million more of his own money to help fund his bid to become Montana’s next governor in the November election, bringing the total amount the congressman has loaned himself to more than $7.5 million, new campaign finance reports show.
Gianforte also raised $220,000 during the month-long reporting window that ended Oct. 14. His Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney, raised $910,000 during that span.
Excluding Gianforte’s own money he has used, both candidates have raised about $3.4 million in contributions throughout their campaigns, the figures show.
Gianforte reported spending $2.5 million during the recent reporting window, with $1.9 million in remaining cash on hand. Cooney reported spending nearly $1.2 million, and has under $200,000 left in the bank, with less than three weeks remaining until Election Day.
Outside groups have spent at least $20 million in the race. That includes at least $8.3 million in spending from Good Jobs Montana, a political action committee funded by the Democratic Governors Association, and at least $8 million from the Republican Governors Association’s Right Direction PAC.
The governor’s seat is open because Gov. Steve Bullock cannot seek re-election due to term limits. Bullock, a Democrat, is looking to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines.