Polls closed tonight in Montana at 10 PM ET, where voters are choosing a successor to former Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, who represents the state’s lone congressional district and resigned to join Donald Trump’s cabinet earlier this year. The candidates are wealthy Republican businessman Greg Gianforte, who lost a bid for governor last year, and Democrat Rob Quist, a popular folk musician.
Gianforte stunned the political world when he physically attacked a reporter the day before Election Day and was charged with assault. However, a large proportion of votes (perhaps two-thirds or more) were cast before the incident. Trump won Montana by a 56-35 margin last fall. Win or lose, Gianforte is scheduled to appear in court by June 7.
Robert Yoon of Inside Elections has put together a helpful look at the key counties to watch as the returns come in.
Results: Secretary of State | AP (statewide, by county)
Friday, May 26, 2017 · 2:35:52 AM +00:00
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David Nir
If you’re just joining us, Quist and Gianforte have 47% apiece, with Quist ahead by less than 1,000 votes. 40% of precincts have reported early votes while just 2 of 681 are fully counted. Gianforte, however, leads in the early vote in Yellowstone County (Montana’s largest county and the home of Billings) by 20 points. This is bad news for Quist because Gianforte only won Yellowstone by a single point last year, when he lost his gubernatorial bid by 4.
Friday, May 26, 2017 · 3:04:41 AM +00:00
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David Nir
Votes are now trickling in fairly slowly, but Nathaniel Rakich has a good observation:
And note that in 2014, the House seat was open (so theoretically more competitive), and there was also an open Senate seat on the ballot, too.