ICYMI: Bozeman Daily Chronicle Endorses Mike Cooney For Governor Over Right-Wing Extremist Greg Gianforte

“[Gianforte] would have difficulty representing all Montanans rather than just those who share his politics.”

Today, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle Editorial Board endorsed Democrat Mike Cooney for governor over Republican Greg Gianforte, citing Gianforte’s extremist views and Cooney’s distinguished record as a public servant. 

Cooney is “well-positioned” to continue Bullock’s common-sense policies on COVID-19, while Gianforte wants to throw science out the window and pursue herd immunity – an approach that could cost over one million American lives and has been debunked by public health experts as a viable strategy.

New Jersey millionaire Gianforte, who has ties to right-wing extremist groups, would likely have trouble representing all Montanans because “the majority of Montanans don’t place themselves on the fringes of the political spectrum.” Cooney, on the other hand, has a long record of working across the aisle to get things done, including popular policies such as Medicaid expansion and protections for public lands.

Read more about Cooney’s new endorsement below:

Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Cooney will maintain balance of government

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In the interest of maintaining moderation in state government, Montana voters would be wise to elect Mike Cooney to be the state’s next chief executive. On top of that, we find Cooney to be the better candidate.

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When Mr. Gianforte challenged Bullock for the governorship four years ago, he struggled to tell this board of a single past Bullock veto that he supported. Today, that tells us that if he is elected, the checks and balances of our state government will likely go by the wayside.

It should be noted that Gianforte declined an invitation to meet with the Chronicle editorial board. His campaign objected after investigating past contributions to Democrats and Planned Parenthood by citizen members of the board. That’s unfortunate and, we believe, telling that he would have difficulty representing all Montanans rather than just those who share his politics.

For his part, Cooney has a long and distinguished track record as a moderate public servant – as a legislator, secretary of state and now lieutenant governor under Bullock. His experience will serve Montana well.

The lieutenant governor is also well positioned to continue the sound policies that have benefitted Montana during the pandemic. No one likes wearing a mask, but Gov. Bullock’s mandate to wear one has been instrumental in keeping us safe and businesses open. Cooney has said he will continue that mandate; Gianforte has said doesn’t support the mandate but would instead rely on the “personal responsibility” of citizens. That’s waffling, and it’s not the leadership we need.

The majority of Montanans don’t place themselves on the fringes of the political spectrum. We believe Mr. Cooney, as our governor, will better reflect that reality.