With days before the November election, roughly 85 cars turned out for a drive-in rally at the Missoula County Fairgrounds to hear the top of the Montana Democratic ticket deliver closing messages. The event culminated in a speech by U.S. Senate candidate Steve Bullock, who touted his bipartisan credentials as governor.
“Usually when I’m on stage I have a guitar on," Pearl Jam musician and Montana native Jeff Ament warmed up the crowd. People honked in response.
Ament introduced Bullock, but not before pumping up the governor’s Treasure State roots with a reference to a mutual friend.
“By the word of mouth way that we judge goodness and integrity in Montana, Steve Bullock must be a good guy," Ament said.
Bullock, echoing stump speeches from election seasons past, told the crowd this year’s is the most important election of their lifetimes.
“Our very democracy is on the ballot," Bullock said.
During his time as governor, Bullock said he expanded access to public lands, fought the political influence of dark money and expanded Medicaid in Montana. Contrasting himself with incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines, Bullock said he would be an independent voice for Montanans if elected to the Senate.
“You deserve somebody who’s going to fight for your interests, not the special interests, not the corporate interests," Bullock said.
Bullock said he wants to make Washington D.C. work more like Montana, meaning a place where lawmaking is prioritized over bipartisan squabbles. The toss-up race between Bullock and Daines could determine which party controls the Senate.
More than 1,000 people turned out Saturday evening at the Flathead County fairgrounds to hear closing arguments from the entire Montana Republican ticket.
Election officials recommend returning ballots by hand as mailed ballots likely won’t arrive in time to be counted.
