Campaign Beat

Montana Republicans say their victories are a mandate from voters, speculation about Democratic Senator Jon Tester’s future, and does Ryan Zinke have a place in the new Trump administration now? Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson and Rob Saldin dig in to these issues and more in the final "Campaign Beat" episode of 2016.

In statewide races, Republicans take every office except for governor. Incumbent Ryan Zinke wins the U.S. House race in a runaway victory. And the analysts predict what to expect from President Trump. Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson and Rob Saldin dig in to these issues and more in this episode of “Campaign Beat.

A new poll shows surprising leads for the incumbents in the U.S. House and governor's races, new campaign ads in multiple races emerge in the final weeks, and gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte sets a new record for personal campaign financing. Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson and Rob Saldin dig in to these issues and more in this episode of “Campaign Beat.”

Polling shows Ryan Zinke with a big lead in the U.S. House race. New campaign ads are out in both the gubernatorial and House races. Republicans claim the advantage in state superintendent and state auditor race. Polls show 40 percent of Montanans are undecided in the Supreme Court race. And Republicans worry about voter fraud in Montana. Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson and Rob Saldin dig in to these issues and more in this episode of "Campaign Beat."

Gov. Steve Bullock and Greg Gianforte hold their final debate, as well as release new ads in the gubernatorial race. Congressman Ryan Zinke speaks out about a recently released Donald Trump video. Capitol reporter Corin Cates-Carney sits in for Sally Mauk, and is joined by Rob Saldin and Chuck Johnson on this episode of "Campaign Beat."

Gay rights come up in the U.S. House debate, new polling puts Zinke ahead of Juneau by 3 percentage points, and are Bullock and Gianforte's latest campaign tactics just distractions? Sally Mauk and Rob Saldin dig in to these issues and more in this episode of "Campaign Beat."

Kristen Juras makes headlines after her past criticisms of the Kaimin resurface, more campaign ads emerge in the House race, and in the governor’s race the state's rainy day fund has become an issue. Chuck Johnson and Professor Rob Saldin join Sally Mauk to discuss these topics and more on this episode of “Campaign Beat.”

The death of perennial Libertarian Congressional candidate Mike Fellows in a car accident as he was coming home from a campaign event, the debate in Billings between Gov. Steve Bullock and his challenger Greg Gianforte Monday, and the release of a couple of new ads in the U.S. House race. Chuck Johnson and Professor Rob Saldin join Sally Mauk to discuss these topics and more on this episode of “Campaign Beat.”

Gov. Bullock's campaign has portrayed Greg Gianforte as a rich out-of-stater. Gianforte has been painting Bullock as weak on jobs. Are these arguments effective? We also look at how the issue of gun control always comes up in major Montana races, and why that is such an effective campaign tactic in Montana. Lastly, we discuss whether or not ties to the presidential candidates will hurt or help the Montana candidates this year.

Tonight on "Campaign Beat," a look at Montana’s primary results, the ongoing spat between Gianforte and Bullock over stream access, and the potential "Trump effect" on down-ballot races like Montana's lone seat in the U.S. House.

Today on "Campaign Beat": Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson, and Rob Saldin preview the primary, and talk about the moderate/conservative split among Republicans. What are Bernie Sanders' chances in Montana, and what happens to his movement after the election; and why conservative Republicans want a special legislative session, and why that's unlikely to happen.

The Trump campaign stops in Billings, limits on party donations to candidates are temporarily back in effect, and where's the substance in the gubernatorial race? Chuck Johnson & Professor Rob Saldin join MTPR's Eric Whitney to discuss on this episode of "Campaign Beat."

On this episode of "Campaign Beat," Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson, and Rob Saldin talk about this week’s campaign finance ruling, the fuss over the Gianfortes' big donation to MSU, and the race for Montana’s seat in the House of Representatives.

Bernie Sanders visits Montana, Rep. Zinke endorses Trump, and Montana Democrats smell blood over a 2009 lawsuit Greg Gianforte filed over a public access easement near his property in Bozeman. Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson, and Rob Saldin take you behind the curtain of Montana politics.

The release of the Gov. Bullock's personal emails; Greg Gianforte's campaign donations to himself; Trump's impact on downticket races; the possible spoiler role of Libertarian candidate Ted Dunlap; and Montanans feeling the Bern, on this episode of "Campaign Beat."

On this episode of "Campaign Beat": Conrad Burns' legacy; analysis of the latest attack ads in the gubernatorial race; and Gov. Bullock's new (yet old) infrastructure funding plan.

Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson and Rob Saldin break down Gianforte's "406 tax relief" plan; discuss the aim of Juneau's reservations tour; explain why it's hard to stop illegal robo-calls; and look at the new TV ad in the only contested state supreme court race, on this episode of "Campaign Beat."

Sally Mauk and her guests dissect the first TV ad in Montana’s governor’s race, tally up the big bucks in the U.S. House race, and look at the candidates in the race for superintendent of schools in this episode of "Campaign Beat."

It's all about the gubernatorial race today on "Campaign Beat": The politics behind the governor's new "working group" on Colstrip; PayPal, and the dilemma for pro-business Republicans who support "religious freedom" laws; And to nobody's surprise, Greg Gianforte wins the endorsements of Sen. Daines and Rep. Zinke. Listen now for the latest analysis from Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson, and Rob Saldin.

This week on "Campaign Beat": Regardless of the verdict, the Wittich trial could have long lasting implications for Montana politics. The Gianforte campaign continues to avoid questions about the candidate's charitable giving and positions on social issues. How long can that continue? And Attorney General Tim Fox saves they day when a belligerent drunk gets rowdy.

Montana Democrats use Donald Trump to tie Republicans to extremism. The spat over Governor Bullock's use of the state plane shows no sign of going away. And is the debate over PAC money in the Governor's race a distraction from more important matters? Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson, an Rob Saldin discuss these things and more on this episode of "Campaign Beat."

On this edition of “Campaign Beat”, we talk about the viability – and sincerity - of the campaigns of the two new candidates in the governor’s race; the last minute entry into the race for attorney general; Montana’s two senators’ views of President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee; and who’s speaking at this weekend’s annual democratic Mansfield/Metcalf dinner.

On this episode of “Campaign Beat” we talk about Greg Gianforte’s pick for a running mate, the role of ambition in the U.S. House race, how a coal company’s decision not to mine Otter Creek affects the governor’s race, and whether the governor is using his plane too much for campaign fundraising events.

On this episode of "Campaign Beat" we talk about the Bullock and Juneau filings and likely campaign themes in their races; the many Republican legislative primary challenges (moderates v. conservatives within the party); and the anti-hate rallies held this week.

How the debate over government regulation is shaping the governor’s race in Montana. What’s behind the recent anti-refugee rallies in the state? And Rep. Zinke’s new book and political aspirations, tonight on “Campaign Beat,”with Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson, and Rob Saldin.

On this episode of "Campaign Beat:" The impact of Justice Scalia's death on the Clean Power Plan lawsuit and Montana's governor's race; the political impact of out-of-state control over Colstrip's future; new revelations of "dark money" spending, and the upcoming campaign finance trial of Rep. Art Wittich.

How will the Supreme Court's stay on the Obama Clean Power Plan affect Montana's governor's race? What's a state auditor, and why should voters care about the auditor's race? Which presidential candidates have qualified for Montana's June primary ballot? Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson an Rob Saldin discuss these questions on today's episode of "Campaign Beat".

How will Denise Juneau's 'candidacy of firsts' affect the U.S. House race? What presidential candidates are Montanans donating to so far? And will the presidential nominations be sewn up by the time Montana's primaries roll around in June? Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson, and Rob Saldin discuss these things and more on this episode of "Campaign Beat".

Tonight on "Campaign Beat" we talk about the AG race and the lack of a Democratic challenger;  dueling narratives on the economy between Bullock and Gianforte; Brad Johnson's epiphany that he can't win the governor's race with the time and money required; and the Republican party chairman's anger at the Billings Gazette for running an editorial that blames something besides President Obama for coal's decline.

This week on "Campaign Beat": dig in to Greg Gianforte's announcement, platform and PAC pledge, on our weekly political analysis program with Sally Mauk, Chuck Johnson, & Rob Saldin.