Montana’s gubernatorial candidates stuck to familiar campaign themes during last night’s debate in Billings. Much of the event focused on jobs and the candidates painted vastly different pictures of the Montana economy.
Republican challenger Greg Gianforte criticized Governor Steve Bullock for declining state revenues. The technology entrepreneur from Bozeman said he’s running because he’s a proven job creator.
“Unfortunately today we’re 49th in the country in wages and our kids are leaving,” Gianforte said. “In a large part because we have a failed administration in Helena.”
Gianforte bashed the Bullock administration for awarding a contract to market Montana to a Wisconsin based Marketing firm and called for the resignation of the Montana Commerce Director.
Gianforte also criticized Bullock for failing to stand-up for the residents of Colstrip as the community faces the pending closure of aging coal-fired power plants its by out-of-state owners.
Bullock highlighted rising household incomes and the state’s low unemployment rate as proof Montana’s economy is strong.
“We’re number one in the nation for new business start-ups and entrepreneurial activity 4 years in a row,” Bullock said. “Just last week we heard Montana leads the nation in medium household income.”
The incumbent Democrat then took a dig at Gianforte, and said he didn’t want to live in a state where a small group gets to make the rules that benefit them. It’s a reference to Gianforte’s disagreement with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Park over access to the East Gallatin River.
This was the second debate for the two gubernatorial candidates this year. The two are scheduled to meet again October 8, 2016 in Great Falls.
