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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Democrat Tom Woods Drops Out Of Congressional Race

Bozeman Democrat Tom Woods.
Eric Whitney

Bozeman Democrat Tom Woods is dropping out of the race for Montana’s only congressional seat because he’s not raised enough money to continue a competitive campaign. 

Woods made his announcement to supporters on social media. He says making the decision to drop out wasn’t easy.

“It’s about the money. There’s a few folks of folks in the race here who have raised about 10 to 15 times as much money as I have and we’re heading to a time in the race where you really have to start spending money on media and I just don’t have it."

Woods says he received about $30,000 in campaign contributions since he announced his candidacy last October. He’s a teacher and a self-described progressive who was using his campaign to promote expanded Medicare for all Americans, human rights and fighting big money in politics. Woods is considering running for re-election to represent Bozeman in the Montana House, but he wishes the pay was a little higher.

“I calculate it out to about $4 an hour to spend about 90 days away from my family. Although I do love the policy work, I love working across the aisle. I enjoy the work but it is not a good job," Woods says.

There are four other Democrats still running in an attempt to unseat Montana’s Republican incumbent congressman Greg Gianforte.

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