Campaign Beat

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.

Cash pours into the Senate race; Sheehy bullet story doesn't add up; The press gets pushed out

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.

04-20
13:54

Did Sheehy shoot himself in the foot? Can an anti-Trump Republican win in Montana?

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.

04-13
13:58

Abortion amendment fuels feud between the Legislature and courts; Who loves Trump the most?

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.

04-06
13:52

Voting laws blocked; Abortion amendment amended; Arntzen rebuked again

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 Campaign Beat.

03-30
13:08

Abortion proposal clears a hurdle; Ranchers, rhinestone cowboys and ... Beyonce

Abortion supporters face a tight deadline to get a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. Senate hopeful Tim Sheehy talks up his ranching credentials, but an ad from his opponents calls him a rhinestone cowboy. Gov. Gianforte has a lot more money in the bank than challenger Ryan Busse.

03-23
13:49

Will bad publicity turn good for Tester and Arntzen? Whose coattails are longer?

Sen. Tester's position on the war in Gaza could cost him some young voters. State school superintendent and Republican congressional candidate Elsie Arntzen has angered some members of her party. Democrats hope to pick up a few more legislative seats this year.

03-16
13:46

Rosendale drops out – again! Party bosses, pet candidates and poll numbers

Matt Rosendale's roller coaster campaign decisions have everyone — including the Campaign Beat team — scratching their heads. Meanwhile, the Senate race is getting tighter.

03-09
14:02

Rosendale is back and wearing the team jersey. Could Daines become the Senate Republican Leader?

Rosendale is in, but will that push others out of the race for his House seat? A new Democrat has entered that House race. Steve Daines is being courted to become the next leader of Senate Republicans.

03-02
12:11

In or out? Liz Cheney with a mustache? Busse announces his running mate

Will he, or won't he? Questions abound about Rep. Matt Rosendale's political future. A former congressman wants Rosendale's House seat. Democrat Ryan Busse picks a well-known Helena attorney as his running mate in the governor's race.

02-24
14:02

Rosendale’s bombshell. His future in the U.S. House? Gianforte makes a run for the border.

Matt Rosendale shocks everyone by dropping out of the Senate race just days after entering. Republicans are left wondering whether he'll seek re-election. Gov. Gianforte, like all Republicans running this year, makes border security a top issue.

02-17
14:00

Rosendale makes it official. A former Rep. hints at a sudden return. China, China, China!

Matt Rosendale joins the U.S. Senate race. A familiar name in Montana politics may run for Rosendale's House seat. And both Democrats and Republicans target China in their campaign ads.

02-10
13:58

National Dems bet on Tranel; Who's more MAGA? Racicot says Trump should be disqualified

Democrat Monica Tranel's race for Congress is drawing national attention and resources. Montana Republicans are getting chippy with each other over who should be their nominee for Senate. And former Gov. Marc Racicot thinks Donald Trump should not be allowed to run again for president.

02-03
14:00

Busse makes his case; Candidates buck their party; He's not a president but he plays one on TV

The Democratic candidate for governor thinks Montanans are ready to reject Republicans. Rep. Matt Rosendale is having a very public feud with one of his Republican Senate colleagues. And former Gov. Steve Bullock stars in a new documentary about a potential civil war.

01-27
13:12

A House race rematch, a low-key incumbent, a MAGA candidate and an abortion initiative

Montana's western district congressional race is déjà vu all over again. Gov. Gianforte quietly announces he's running again, while his Democratic opponent hopes to make a loud splash. Republican Senatorial candidate Tim Sheehy goes full MAGA. Attorney General Austin Knudsen tries to keep an abortion initiative off the ballot.

01-20
13:53

Campaign Beat: Money will fuel the governor's race in more ways than one

If Gov. Gianforte runs for re-election, as expected, he'll face a political newcomer with an old message: the ultra-rich don't care about everyday Montanans. But are voters even paying attention to this race?

01-13
13:50

Candidates are busy as 2024 rolls in, and so is the Campaign Beat crew

The incumbent seeking his 4th term faces a political newcomer — and maybe a previous foe — in Montana's U.S. Senate race. And lots of Republicans — and a couple of Democrats — are interested in Montana's eastern district congressional seat. Campaign Beat returns with news and analysis of the 2024 elections.

01-06
13:45

Campaign Beat: 2022 post-election breakdown

How Tranel lost and how Rosendale won. A snarky victory speech and emotional concession speech. A defeat for opponents of legal abortion, a legislative trouncing and Montana Democrats left with some soul-searching to do.

11-12
13:23

What's motivating voters this year, and what surprises could Election Day hold?

This election could come down to local versus national issues. Early voting numbers show a low turnout so far. Republicans hope Tuesday's results give them a supermajority in the Legislature, and what surprises could Election Day have in store?

11-05
13:43

A wary look at the polls; The Libertarian factor; Who does high turnout help?

A recent poll raises as many questions as answers about the mid-term election. Tranel's snake keeps slithering. Libertarians deny they're conspiring with Democrats. And conventional wisdom about voter turnout may not be so wise in this election.

10-29
14:00

Your voter info pamphlet has some bad info, and polls show Tranel catching up to Zinke

Polls and pundits suggest Montana's western district congressional race is tightening. New ads emphasize a mining ban and an "anti-business" bent. And, your voter information pamphlet has some bad information.

10-22
13:27

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