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Montana Dems: DNC Unfairly Barring Bullock From Presidential Debates

Steve Bullock.
Courtesy Bullock campaign
Steve Bullock.

Montana Democrats insist the Democratic National Committee is unfairly preventing Gov. Steve Bullock from participating in the party’s first national primary debates later this month. The DNC, however, shows no signs of budging.

Politico reported yesterday that Bullock has not yet qualified for the debates.

Steve Bullock.
Credit Courtesy Bullock campaign
Steve Bullock.

Party officials this week announced they will exclude certain polls from debate qualification criteria.

Top Montana Democrats sent the DNC a letter Friday saying the criteria unfairly targets Bullock.

Bullock, who waited until the state Legislature adjourned at the end of April to enter the presidential race, weighed in Friday, saying, "Deciding between campaigning for 100,000 donors or getting 100,000 people health care is the easiest decision I’ve ever made," a reference to passage of Montana’s Medicaid expansion program.

DNC officials say they announced the qualification change back in March.

Copyright 2020 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

Edward O'Brien is Montana Public Radio's Associate News Director.