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Montana's 2020 election
Montana's 2020 election
The Montana Free Press guide
Republican for U.S. House
Rosendale, of Glendive, was elected state auditor in 2016.
Race overview: 2020 U.S. House

Key coverage in the race for U.S. House

Race profile: Representing Montana in the U.S. House, who can bring a cure for health care?

U.S. House candidates Kathleen Williams and Matt Rosendale have made health care central to their campaigns. They may agree on a few details, but their proposed paths forward could hardly be more divergent.

Montana Lowdown: Matt Rosendale

State Auditor Matt Rosendale interviewed by MTFP Editor-In-Chief John Adams before the June 2020 primary

Montana Lowdown: Kathleen Williams

Former Rep. Kathleen Williams interviewed by MTFP Editor-In-Chief John Adams before the June 2020 primary

Montana PBS debate: U.S. House

Video of Williams and Rosendale at their Montana PBS debate Sept. 23
Follow MTFP's ongoing election coverage with our free newsletter

Campaign finance

As a federal candidate, Rosendale has a campaign committee that files financial reports with the Federal Election Commission. Data shown here, current through 10/14/2020, is pulled from the FEC website for the 2019-20 election cycle.
$3,351,099
Total raised
$3,118,366
Total spent
$2,751,915
From individuals
$527,229
From committees
$0
Self-financing
Note: Fundraising components shown here don't necessarily sum to total fundraising because of miscellaneous receipts and accounting adjustments. Self-financing includes candidate contributions and campaign loans.

Contributions by zip code: Matt Rosendale (R)

Map includes contributions through 10/13/2020.
42.8%
Portion of individual receipts from Montana
1,682
Itemized individual contributions reported
227
Number at $2,800 contribution limit
Note: Small individual donors totalling $200 or less in contributions aren’t necessarily reported in itemized data used for map. Individual contributions to federal candidates are limited to $2,800.


On the issues

Issue statements were solicited from active candidates via a written questionnaire before the June primary election. Answers were lightly edited for punctuation and spelling.

Particularly as the nation deals with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, what federal action would you support to help create good, high-paying jobs for Montana workers?

It is critical that the federal government work with the state to ensure that Montanans are safely able to go back to work as soon as possible. In the meantime, the federal government must prioritize economic growth and the elimination of regulations that burden Montana businesses and impede job creation. It is also crucial the federal government support our agriculture, hi-tech and manufacturing industries, and allow us to sustainably harness our state’s natural resources — including coal, minerals, and timber — to create jobs.

What separates you from your primary opponents as your party’s best candidate to represent Montana in Washington, D.C.?

I am a proven conservative leader and am the only candidate who has been endorsed by President Trump and is “A” rated by the NRA. I have a track record of real results as both a successful businessman and as a policymaker. I don’t have to speak in theoreticals, I can point to results. As state auditor I got results for Montana families, while also cutting operating expenses by 23%. That is the kind of leadership Montana needs in Washington, D.C.

If elected to the House, how would you attempt to bridge partisan divides to represent the concerns of Montanans who don't share your political orientation in Washington D.C.?

I don’t care about labels and I don’t think most Montanans do either. I care about advancing the core Montana values of faith, freedom, and family, and I am willing to work with anyone, Democrat or Republican, who is committed to doing the same.

Would you have voted to impeach President Donald Trump based on the evidence presented to the U.S. House last year? Why?

The impeachment effort was a witch hunt orchestrated by Nancy Pelosi and the democrat party to overturn the will of the people and undo the results of the 2016 election. Despite there being no evidence that President Trump did anything wrong, Democrats chose to prioritize this sham over the real issues facing Americans at a time when we were beginning to see the spread of COVID-19.

Do you see reining in the federal debt as a priority? If so, how should that be accomplished? If you support new taxes, whom specifically should that burden fall on? If you support spending cuts, which specific places in the federal budget should be targeted? (We assume that working to minimize waste, fraud and abuse is a given.)

With our deficit reaching unsustainable levels and the national debt near $25 trillion, something has to be done to ensure financial security for our children and grandchildren. We are in this situation because we spend too much, not because we tax our people too little. I have demonstrated the ability to reduce spending in both the Legislature and the Auditor’s Office. As your congressman, I will oppose any tax increase on Montana families or businesses, and I will support a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. It’s clear that career politicians in Congress are not interested in living within our means, and we need to amend our Constitution to make them.

Do you support keeping the Affordable Care Act in place? What if any alternate federal policies would you support to promote Montanans’ access to safe, affordable health care?

We must repeal Obamacare and enact market-based reforms to allow true competition and choice in the insurance industry. As State Auditor, I’ve expanded access to health care, reduced insurance premiums, protected vulnerable Montanans and those with pre-existing conditions, and worked to lower drug costs and bring transparency to drug pricing. I will continue this important work in Congress and will make expanding health savings accounts a top priority.

Do you believe the federal government has enacted effective policies to keep Montana’s family-owned farms viable businesses? If not, which pieces of federal policy would you push to change?

I believe it is critical the federal government do more to foster a positive economic climate for our farmers and ranchers. This means a thorough review of federal rules and regulations and a repeal of the death tax, which is a huge obstacle to keeping family farm operations intact from generation to generation. Young farmers and ranchers face enough obstacles without having to inherit a huge tax liability simply for trying to carry on their family business. Additionally, we can improve our trade agreements to make sure our farmers and ranchers are getting a fair deal.

Should the federal government consider transferring some federally held land into state ownership?

I oppose a federal lands transfer, and will work tirelessly to protect public access to our public lands. As a member of the State Land Board, I’ve expanded access to over 45,000 acres of state public lands, while protecting environmentally sensitive areas and putting our natural resources to work for our state. As congressman, I will prioritize opening Montana’s public lands that have been closed by the federal government, working to improve federal land management, and encouraging natural resource development in a way that respects the environment and fosters job creation.

Do you support the Montana Water Rights Protection Act implementing the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes Water Compact in its current form before Congress?

Next to our children, water is our state’s most important resource. We need a solution that will protect our agriculture industries and water users across Montana from the burden of costly and unnecessary litigation and ensure water is available for our children and grandchildren.


Stay tuned for more

We'll be updating this page with new information through Election Day in November 2020.

Have ideas about additional coverage that would be helpful as you consider your vote? Tell us at edietrich@montanafreepress.org.