Campaign Beat is Montana Public Radio's weekly political analysis program. It's hosted by Sally Mauk and features Lee Newspapers State News Bureau Chief Holly Michels and Rob Saldin of the University of Montana’s Mansfield Center and Political Science Department.
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Get a recap of this week's action at the Montana Legislature with news and analysis from Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin and Holly Michels. Online Friday afternoons. On air Saturdays at 9:44 a.m.
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Early voting, tight races and relief from all the ads. Election day is almost here
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Polls and pundits will soon be proven right or wrong. Last-ditch ads stray further from the facts. Early voting is higher in some counties than others.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Knudsen sanctions; Bullet wounds and business deals; Courts and the culture war
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Montana’s attorney general faces an unprecedented sanction, but he still expects to be re-elected. A former park ranger insists Senate candidate Tim Sheehy accidentally shot himself in Glacier Park, despite the candidate’s denials. An outside group tries to insert the debate over trans athletes into a Montana Supreme Court race.…
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Top contenders for House and governor focus on hot-button issues in recent debates
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The two main candidates for governor spar over property taxes, housing costs, and abortion. And the two candidates for the western district congressional race tussle over the same issues in recent debates.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Campaign Beat: Politics, courts and professional misconduct
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State Attorney General Austin Knudsen is making headlines — but not the kind you want when you're seeking reelection. Two state Supreme Court candidates are hoping to get voters' attention.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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No surprises in the Senate debate; A shotgun enters the chat
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Jon Tester and Tim Sheehy land the punches they want to land in their debate. And U.S. House candidate Monica Tranel turns to the time-honored Montana campaign tradition of shooting something out of the sky.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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A ballot blunder, border bluster and a broken bibliography
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A quickly corrected ballot error raises questions; A new ad questions Monica Tranel's stance on the border; Controversial South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem stumps for Tim Sheehy, who has no comment on evidence he plagiarized portions of his memoir.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Governor candidates agree to debate; Housing costs are in the spotlight; NRA enters the fray
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Voters will get one chance to see candidates for governor debate. Housing costs are in the spotlight. The NRA enters the fray in the U.S. Senate race.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Crow Tribe calls out Sheehy; Dems keep quiet on Harris; Ads focus on borders, gender & race
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Montana Democratic candidates are not anxious to ride Kamala Harris's coattails. Monica Tranel vows to make the border safer, while her opponent Ryan Zinke vows to protect girls sports from trans athletes. Tim Sheehy remains silent about insulting Montana's Crow Tribe. And Republicans accuse Jon Tester of bias against white farmers.…
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Campaign Beat: New poll puts Sheehy in the lead, new audio puts him in the hot seat
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Tim Sheehy leads Jon Tester in a new Senate race poll. Audio of a racist comment from Sheehy surfaces. Campaign ads feature familiar themes. And, the two leading candidates for governor may soon square off to debate. Campaign Beat is back for the general election!By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Primary election wrap-up; Candidates roll out new attack ads; We'll be back in the fall!
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The primary election had few surprises — but laid the groundwork for some bruising general election races. New ads in the Senate and gubernatorial races come out swinging. Campaign Beat will return in September.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Republicans rush to Trump's defense; Don't forget about dark money! The primary is on June 4
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Montana's Republican congressmen stick with Trump, despite his criminal conviction. Democrat Jon Tester is well ahead of his Republican opponent Tim Sheehy in fundraising. Dark money groups are also spending heavily in that Senate race. Tuesday's primary features intriguing contests in the eastern district Republican congressional race, and in the …
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Property tax blame game; Gianforte weighs-in on legislative races
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Voter outrage over high property taxes is a big campaign issue, but how will that translate at the polls? Gov. Gianforte's primary endorsements aren't sitting well with some Republicans. Jon Tester unveils a new hard-hitting ad against his opponent Tim Sheehy. Tim Sheehy has a new ad with a powerful message about his military service.…
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Migrant family draws ire in the Flathead; Tester backs immigration bill; Will there be a special session?
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Republicans clamor over the arrival of a migrant family in the Flathead. Tester signs on to a Republican immigration bill. And calls for a special legislative session are racking up.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Shying away from the spotlight; Ducking the debates; Trashing transplants
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Tim Sheehy seemed to shy away from the spotlight when Don Jr. came to campaign. Congressional candidates who showed up to debate talk immigration, climate change and transplants; Schools superintendent candidate faces legal troubles.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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The best of times, the worst of times; One of these ads is not like the others
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A Republican candidate's new ad stands out for its subtlety. Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy says times are bad and change is needed, while Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte argues times are good and he should get another term. A national group opposed to abortion is going door-to-door in Montana. Rep. Zinke votes no on more …
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Cash pours into the Senate race; Sheehy bullet story doesn't add up; The press gets pushed out
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The mystery of the lodged bullet continues. Is it fair for candidates to both criticize and shun the press? As expected, campaign fundraising is breaking records. Learn more now on Campaign Beat.By Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Did Sheehy shoot himself in the foot? Can an anti-Trump Republican win in Montana?
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Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Tim Sheehy faces scrutiny over a mysterious bullet wound and his company’s finances. New polling illustrates just how close and competitive that Senate race is. And at least one candidate in the crowded Eastern District House race turns his back on Trump.By Corin Cates-Carney, Rob Saldin, Holly Michels
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Abortion amendment fuels feud between the Legislature and courts; Who loves Trump the most?
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A constitutional amendment to protect abortion moves closer to getting on the ballot. The Republican fight with the judiciary keeps escalating. And the winner of the Republican eastern district congressional primary may boil down to who loves the Trump the most.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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Voting laws blocked; Abortion amendment amended; Arntzen rebuked again
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Republican lawmakers aren't happy with the State Supreme Court's voting rights ruling. Abortion rights activists aren't happy with Attorney General Knudsen's changes to a proposed constitutional amendment. The Board of Public Education isn't happy with School Superintendent Elsie Arntzen's job performance. Cheer up! It's time for another episode of…
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A contentious legislative session ends. Will it mark a turning point in Montana politics?
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Republican lawmakers say they delivered for Montanans. Democrats say they kept a lot of bad things off the books. The Regier family reigned over much of the action. And this session marked a political turning point — but in what direction?By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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The Legislature makes the national news again and the mood at the Capitol turns sour
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Republicans ban a trans lawmaker from the House floor, putting Montana in the national news spotlight. Meanwhile, much work remains on the budget as the end of the session approaches.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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Citing decorum, Republicans shut down transgender lawmaker; 'Jungle primary' bill fails
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Republicans try to silence transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr. Anti-trans bills are on their way to becoming law. Lawmakers table a bill to create a one-time "jungle primary" in next year's Senate race. The defeat of that bill may have political fallout for Senator Steve Daines.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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Anti-abortion bills sail through the Legislature; Consequences vs. discrimination
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Abortion in Montana could be severely limited if a slew of bills headed to the governor's desk become law. Montana's attorney general intervenes in a lawsuit to ban an abortion pill. Another bill seeks to answer the question of whether religious freedom protects bigoted speech. And lawmakers hope more money will help fix problems at the Warm Spring…
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Republicans try to tilt the scales in the Senate race, constitutional amendments stall
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Rosendale attends Trump's post-arraignment event. Republican leaders want to change election rules — but only in one race. Many Cascade County residents are not happy with how their top election officer is doing her job. And several proposed amendments to the state Constitution may not make it to the ballot after all.…
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Capitol Talk: Satanism enters the chat and it's déjà vu on gun laws
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Congressional opponents of a ban on assault weapons, including Montana Sen. Jon Tester, aren't swayed by another school shooting. Neither are many state legislators, who want to expand, not limit, gun rights in Montana. A reference to Satanism prompts a walkout in a Senate committee hearing. And wilderness schools for troubled teens are once again …
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Republicans own the budget — for better or worse; Arntzen gets an earful; Anti-trans bills advance
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There aren't many Democratic fingerprints on the budget passed by the House. Montana's Legislature is just one of several targeting transgender issues. And state Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen gets an earful on a statewide tour. Is she aiming for higher office?By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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Lawmakers talk constitutional changes, abortion lawsuits and 'sex'
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Montana's A.G. threatens to sue Walgreens over the abortion pill. The 2024 ballot could include a slew of proposed constitutional changes. Gov. Gianforte celebrates a major legislative win. And some Republican lawmakers propose a definition of sex.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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Chuck Johnson's impact; Rosendale & white supremacists; Who will challenge Tester?
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The Capitol Talk team remembers a dear colleague. Rep. Rosendale keeps hanging out with some bad guys. The Legislature buckles down on budget work. And Sen. Steve Daines may back an unknown Bozeman businessman to challenge Jon Tester for his Senate seat.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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Budget bills await governor's signature; Lawmakers look to weaken the judiciary
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The Governor celebrates a major win midway through the legislative session. Democrats hope to fend off attempts to weaken the judiciary. And speculation grows over who will challenge Jon Tester for his Senate seat.By Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, Rob Saldin
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