The day before his special election in Montana, Greg Gianforte body-slammed a reporter who dared to ask him about Trumpcare’s CBO score. After a Fox News team came forward to confirm that Gianforte had attacked the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs unprovoked, Gianforte was charged with misdemeanor assault. He won his race—in a state that gave Donald Trump a 20-point win—despite that, and now he’s an official Republican Party pick to fundraise off of fears about Democrat Jon Ossoff winning the June 20 special election in Georgia:
The dispatch sent on behalf of the National Republican Congressional Committee invoked House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, saying that “since Montana is no longer in Pelosi’s grasp, all of her and the left’s attention will go towards Georgia and the remaining special elections.”
“I know with your support, [name], we can defeat Pelosi and the liberals in Georgia and the remaining special elections,” it read. “Can I count on you to continue your support before the last crucial FEC deadline before Georgia and the other special elections?”
Once upon a time, even the Republican Party might have been embarrassed to have a newly elected member of Congress who was facing charges for assaulting a reporter who simply asked him a question about a major piece of Republican legislation. Today’s Republican Party embraces him.
If Republicans want to nationalize the Georgia special election and make it about Nancy Pelosi, then Georgia voters should head off to the polls while listening to the audio of Gianforte assaulting Jacobs. Because the National Republican Congressional Committee just said that a vote for Karen Handel is effectively an endorsement of that assault.
And by the way, early voting started today, May 30. Get full early voting locations and hours here.
Can you chip in $3 to help Jon Ossoff finish strong?