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Montana House Candidates Host Watch Parties

(AP Photo/Matt Volz)

Candidates for Montana’s lone House seat are both in western Montana tonight waiting for the polls to close. Montana Public Radio’s Nicky Ouellet reports.

TRANSCRIPT

NICKY OUELLET: I’m at Republican incumbent Ryan Zinke’s election night headquarters at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake in Whitefish. People filtering in, anticipating a second-term for the former Navy SEAL, though the race won’t be called until after the polls close at 8 p.m. tonight. FOX News is playing in the background. Conversation in the room pauses every time Meagyn Kelley calls a final result.

Throughout his campaign, Zinke has portrayed himself as a national security expert and a strong supporter of natural resource development.

Democratic challenger Denise Juneau is hosting a watch party at the Top Hat Lounge in Missoula. The former state superintendent of public instruction has been critical of her opponent throughout the campaign, questioning Zinke’s continued support of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump while championing her track record as state superintendent of public instruction.

Both candidates are waiting to show up to their parties until polls close at 8 p.m.

In Whitefish, I’m Nicky Ouellet, Montana Public Radio.