Gianforte and Zinke seek to continue Republican dominance in Montana elections

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is heavily favored for reelection over a political newcomer, while U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke faces a stiffer challenge from a veteran campaigner as the Republican incumbents seek to continue their party's political dominance in the Big Sky state.

Gianforte clashed with the Montana Supreme Court over laws on abortion access and gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, but his first term was otherwise free of controversy as he put behind him a criminal case that put an early stain on his political career. In 2017, he body-slammed a reporter on the eve of a special election for a U.S. House seat and was charged with a misdemeanor. He went on to win a seat and then was elected governor in 2020.

Zinke, meanwhile, has bounced back from his 2018 resignation as interior secretary under former President Donald Trump amid numerous ethics investigations. He was twice elected to the House prior to joining Trump's Cabinet, then returned in 2022 after winning in a newly created congressional district.

Gianforte is a big favorite against his Democratic opponent, former firearms executive Ryan Busse. Zinke is in a more competitive rematch against Democrat Monica Tranel, an environmental attorney he narrowly defeated two years ago.

The challengers have tried to paint the incumbents as wealthy and out of touch with regular Montana residents.

Gianforte has touted his administration’s reduction of income taxes and his use of part of the $2.6 billion pandemic-related budget surplus to reduce business taxes, issue income and property tax rebates, pay off the state’s debt and fill emergency coffers.

He also noted his $300 million investment in behavioral health, efforts to eliminate government red tape and his creation of a housing...