Incumbent Democrat Governor Steve Bullock officially filed his re-election bid today.
“Thank you very much. Congratulations and good luck on your campaign.”
Bullock’s family and Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney stood behind him as Bullock signed the filing paperwork required to officially put his name on the 2016 ballot.
Bullock used his filing as a chance to hit on some the major talking points of his campaign – a healthy state economy, a fiscally responsible state government, and that Greg Gianforte, his main Republican opponent, isn’t what Montana needs to be successful.
“There’s a fundamental difference in values and viewpoint about what the office of governor is between Greg Gianforte and I.”
Gianforte has never held public office. The Bozeman software entrepreneur is running on the success he had in the private sector. Gianforte recently visited more than 60 cities across Montana promising voters he would remove job-killing regulations if elected. He has not yet formally filed election paperwork.
Bullock’s filing comes a day before statewide candidates and independent committees must release finance reports to the commissioner of political practices.