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CITY BEAT 14 COUNTY BEAT 14 COURT BEAT 15 Newsworthy
Gianforte Launches Campaign for Governor at Kalispell Event Hi-tech entrepreneur running to become rst Republican governor in a decade
BY TRISTAN SCOTT OF THE BEACON
Technology entrepreneur Greg Gianforte quashed speculation that has dominated Montana’s political channels for months when he o cially announced his bid to become the rst Republican governor in Montana in more than a decade.
The Bozeman businessman revealed his campaign on his website before kicking o a two-day, eight-city tour of the state in an e ort to make his case against re-elect- ing incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock.
On Jan. 20, in a 20-minute speech before support- ers at Thompson Precision, a machining shop in Kalis- pell, Gianforte emphasized his aim to center his cam- paign message on improving wages and creating jobs so that Montana’s children – which he called the state’s “most precious export” won’t have to seek employment elsewhere.
Appearing with his wife, Susan, by his side, Gianforte talked of traditional family values while also promoting progressive ideas in a rural state, suggesting that tele- commuting could be a way to bring back Montanans who have moved out of state.
“I think, like many Montana parents, Susan and I would like to have our kids around the dinner table on Sunday afternoon,” Gianforte said.
Greg Gianforte announces his candidacy for Governor of Montana as Ray and Ladeine Thompson cheer during a campaign event at Thompson Precision in Kalispell on Jan. 20. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
Gianforte, who sold his company, RightNow Technol- ogies, to Oracle in 2012 for $1.8 billion, is widely consid- ered the favorite to represent the GOP against Bullock. He will have to beat fellow Republican Brad Johnson, a former Montana secretary of state currently serving as the Public Service Commission chairman, in the June 7 primary.
Gianforte has a fundraising advantage over John- son, who has raised just $1,500 since announcing his
exploratory campaign last year. Gianforte, by contrast, has raised more than $570,000.
He has been exploring a run for months, after l- ing paperwork that has allowed him to raise and spend money since August. Democrats have been preparing for Gianforte’s entry into the race since then. They expect a spirited campaign that could garner national attention as Democrats try to hold on to a governorship in a gen- erally conservative state.
A Republican has not been governor since one-term Gov. Judy Martz left o ce in 2005.
Democratic operatives have tried to script a narra- tive that portrays Gianforte as an outsider who does not represent the values of most Montanans. Bullock’s cam- paign has repeatedly referred to Gianforte as a “New Jersey multimillionaire,” a theme they hope will reso- nate among voters in a mostly poor, rural state.
Gianforte’s campaign has countered that the busi- nessman was raised in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and has lived in Montana for about two decades.
In the Flathead, Republicans said they found Gian- forte’s innovative business background the most com- pelling aspect of his candidacy.
“We are excited that he’s a business guy,” said Jayson Peters. “He brings a breath of fresh air.”
Flathead Legislative Filings Mounting Candidates have started ling for contested races in Flathead primaries
tscott@ atheadbeacon.com
Olszewski, who is running for Senate.
Senate District 2
Incumbent Sen. Dee Brown, R-Hun- gry Horse, led for re-election.
Senate District 3
Rep. Keith Regier has led for the Republican nomination in this promi- nent district. SD-3 is currently repre- sented by termed-out Sen. Bruce Tut- vedt, a moderate Republican who has not ruled out a run for the House. He could seek the GOP nomination in House Dis- trict 4, where term limits prevent Regier from running again. He could also run in House District 11, which Olszewski is vacating to run for Senate.
Senate District 6
Rep. Al Olszewski, R-Kalispell, led for the seat being vacated by Janna Tay- lor. He will face former Sen. Carmine Mowbray in the Republican primary. Mowbray led her C-1 last year but has not o cially declared her candidacy.
tscott@ atheadbeacon.com
BY TRISTAN SCOTT OF THE BEACON
The 2016 election season is o cially
underway, and candidates are emerging in several contested races throughout the Flathead Valley.
With a March 14 deadline for candi- dates to le their declarations for the June 7 primary election, there’s still time for the political landscape to shift, but a handful of interesting races are taking shape.
The rst day Montanans could regis- ter as candidates was Jan. 16, and hope- fuls turned out in droves to le for dozens of top state posts, ranging from governor and chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court to legislators and district judges.
High-tech entrepreneur Greg Gian- forte is expected to announce his deci- sion to run for the GOP nomination to unseat Democrat incumbent Steve Bull- ock, which promises to be a colorful contest, but statewide senate and house races are promising some reworks of their own.
In total, 124 people formally led as candidates on what’s considered the uno cial holiday for state politics,
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according to Secretary of State Linda McCulloch.
Here’s a look at who’s led so far.
House District 3
Political newcomer Taylor Rose of Columbia Falls is the lone candidate to le for the Republican primary, while incumbent Rep. Zac Perry, D-Columbia Falls, has led for re-election.
House District 4
A contested Republican primary is taking shape in this district as Matt Regier led for the seat being vacated by termed-out Keith Regier, who’s running for Senate. Former Rep. Jerry O’Neil led a C-1 declaration late last year, which allows candidates to begin raising cam- paign cash. O’Neil has not formalized his candidacy.
House District 5
Veteran White sh school board mem- ber David Fern has led for the Dem- ocratic primary. Incumbent Rep. Ed Lieser is not running for re-election to HD-5, which covers White sh and leans Democratic.
House District 6
Rep. Carl Glimm, R-Kila, led for re-election in this distinctly Republican district.
House District 7
Incumbent Republican Rep. Frank Garner, of Kalispell, led for re-elec- tion following a high-pro le rst term. The former Kalispell Police Chief will be looking to beat Lynn Stanley, who led for the Democratic primary.
House District 9
Incumbent Republican Randy Bro- dehl led for re-election.
House District 10
Rep. Mark Noland, R-Bigfork, led for re-election.
House District 11
Former House District 4 representa- tive Derek Skees, a conservative Repub- lican who unsuccessfully ran for State Auditor in 2012 and the Public Service Commission in 2014, is the only can- didate who has led for HD-11, a deep red district being vacated by Rep. Al
JANUARY 27, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM