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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Gianforte Makes His Case In Republican Stronghold

Gianforte talks with Brian Friess of Kalispell during a campaign stop in Columbia Falls, Montana Nov. 4, 2016.
Nicky Ouellet
Gianforte talks with Brian Friess of Kalispell during a campaign stop in Columbia Falls, Montana Nov. 4, 2016.

Candidates are hitting multiple campaign stops each day in the final sprint to the election. Flathead Valley reporter Nicky Ouellet caught up with Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte in Columbia Falls this morning.

Gianforte chatted informally with voters at Laurie’s Deli. A little under 30 people showed up for his so-called "whistlestop" appearance.

This was Gianforte’s second stop of the day, before loading up to hit Kalispell, Eureka, Libby, Thompson Falls and Trout Creek this afternoon.

In the days leading up to the election, Gianforte continues to hit on his main campaign points - the need for more high-wage jobs, development of natural resources and accountability from state government. He also brought a bit of levity to Columbia Falls.

"I have a promise for you - as of Tuesday, all of the ads will be off the air."

Greg Gianforte talks with voters at Laurie's Deli in Columbia Falls, MT, Nov. 4, 2016.
Credit Nicky Ouellet
Greg Gianforte talks with voters at Laurie's Deli in Columbia Falls, MT, Nov. 4, 2016.

Democrats in the Flathead Valley say they were urged by staffers from the Montana Democratic Party to protest Gianforte’s events and call out his support of a state sales tax. Similar counter-rallies have been held across the state.

Lynn Stanley, who chairs the Flathead Democratic Party and is running as a Democrat in House District 7, said she and three others showed up as instructed, but the staffer who was supposed to bring signs never showed.

"I think the person with the signs did get there, but it was just too late, it was just a scheduling thing," Stanley said.

The Flathead Valley is a known as conservative stronghold, but Stanley says her office hasn’t been able to keep campaign signs for Governor Steve Bullock in stock and the Democratic base here is strong.

"Democrats in the county are really juiced about this election," says Stanley "we know we're outnumbered here but that doesn't keep us from being out there with our message and doing the best we can to turn the county blue."

Nicky is MTPR's Flathead-area reporter.
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