Candidates in Montana's U.S. Senate, gubernatorial races reached the final stretch of the campaign

BILLINGS – Across Montana, candidates are organizing rallies and parties in a last-ditch effort to encourage voters to leave before Nov. 5.

On Friday, Democrats held a “Big Sky Victory Get Out The Vote” tour in Billings. The event was headlined by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, who is seeking a fourth term, and Kalispell businessman Ryan Busse, who is challenging incumbent Gov. Greg Gianforte. Busse’s running mate, Raph Graybill, attorney general nominee Ben Alke, Superintendent of Public Instruction Shannon O’Brien, and Supreme Court Clerk Erin Ferris-Olsen were also in attendance.

Tester told MTN News at the event that it was a challenging race.

“Because of the money that went into these races, it was crazy. It’s been very difficult, but the people of Montana are good people, and they understand Montana, and I have every confidence that the election on Tuesday will go very, very well. Because the people of Montana want the best for Montana, and the best for Montana is electing me,” Tester said.

Busse responded to a question about what surprised him during his race.

He said, “What has surprised me is how bad affordability is affecting people in the state, how bad property taxes actually are. People are in bad shape because of it. (It) doesn’t do that. It has to be done. We had a surplus of $2.6 billion and yet he has raised people’s taxes. That’s wrong, and it’s really surprised me how much it’s bothering people.”

Republican Tim Sheehy, who is challenging Tester, was in Manhattan on Friday with U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, to encourage voting.

“You have to vote. There are thousands of young men and women buried under little white gravestones all over the world, from Morocco to Southeast Asia. And they fought for your privilege to vote. We call it a right, but it is a privilege and a blessing to be an American and be able to choose your leaders,” Sheehy told his audience.

Sheehy left before MTN News could request an interview.

Meanwhile, Gianforte was in Columbus on Friday to honor two teenagers, Grayson Williams and Chancy Segeberg, for their heroic efforts to save a friend’s life after a car accident.