GLENDIVE, Mt. (KUMV) – Democratic governors controlled Montana for 16 years before Greg Gianforte’s victory in 2020. Gianforte is calling for four more years for Republicans, but Democrats are pushing for change.

Ryan Busse is running for the position with his lieutenant governor, Raph Graybill. Speaking in Glendive this week, Graybill accused Gianforte of raising property taxes and creating hardship for low-income families.

“Greg Gianforte is raising property taxes on Montana homeowners by up to 111 percent. The best ad ever for the Busse-Graybill campaign is the one where the government sends people tax bills,” Graybill said.

The Gianforte campaign denies this claim, accusing them of making projections.

“With less than two weeks until Election Day, Ryan Busse and Raph Graybill are so desperate that they are lying even more and trying to distract from their property tax system that cuts taxes for wealthy foreigners with second homes and increases Montana’s small business owners, farmers and ranchers, and destroys public schools by $90 million,” a Gianforte spokesperson said.

A New York Times poll this month gives Gianforte a 22-point lead over Busse. The Cook Political Report rates the race as “solid Republican.” Regardless, Busse and Graybill believe their efforts on the ground can change the situation.

“We know we can win this race. We know we have to win this race for the communities we love and care about. We’re counting on you to get across the finish line,” Graybill said.

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