Rosendale Ignores Montanans To Take Orders from D.C. Party Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 6, 2022

CONTACT
press@montanademocrats.org

And does saying you’re an Independent actually make Buchanan one?

Helena, MT – Montana’s Eastern Congressional District is shaping up to be a race between candidates who will bow down to state and D.C. party leadership and a candidate who is willing to stand up to party leadership and deliver for Montanans.

Rep. Rosendale, the Republican in the race, has time and again put national politics ahead of Montana, ignoring the will of his constituents in order to appease hardline D.C. politicians. He votes no on common sense, popular bipartisan legislation because his party bosses in D.C. tell him to.

It’s simple: Rosendale is not representing Montanans – he’s a puppet for D.C. brass.

Gary Buchanan styles himself as an independent on the campaign trail for Montana’s Eastern District, but his history with Montana GOP leadership calls his true “independence” into question. Gary Buchanan donated to Governor Greg Gianforte’s gubernatorial campaign in the general and the primary 2016. At Gianforte’s campaign launch in 2016, for his first run for Governor, Buchanan’s son Todd “enthusiastically introduced” Gianforte. Subsequently, Gianforte appointed Buchanan’s son Todd to the Board of Regents. While Buchanan promises to be an independent voice, his ties to state party leadership raise questions.

Meanwhile, Penny Ronning is the only candidate in the race with experience getting legislation passed by working across the aisle, collaborating with Democrats and Republicans alike to deliver on public safety and energy cost savings.

“Montanans want an alternative to politicians who are in lockstep with Party Leaders. Matt Rosendale has proven himself a loyal and radical lackey of the D.C. Republicans. And despite styling himself as an “independent,” it’s clear Buchanan’s willing to roll over for Republican leadership in Helena,” says Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “The contrast couldn’t be clearer: Penny Ronning knows how to stand up to D.C. politicians and deliver for Montanans.”

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