Campaign Beat

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"Campaign Beat", Montana Public Radio's weekly political analysis program is hosted by MTPR's Sally Mauk, with UM Political Science Professor Rob Saldin, and former Capitol Reporter Chuck Johnson.

Montana Public Radio


    • Nov 9, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 101 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Campaign Beat

    Campaign Beat 2024 election debrief

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2024 13:33


    Republicans sweep to victory in Montana's top races. Montana's newly elected Senator promises to bring people together. Voters say β€˜yes' to protecting the right to an abortion. "Campaign Beat" wraps up for the year.

    Early voting, tight races and relief from all the ads. Election day is almost here

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2024 14:00


    Polls and pundits will soon be proven right or wrong. Last-ditch ads stray further from the facts. Early voting is higher in some counties than others.

    Knudsen sanctions; Bullet wounds and business deals; Courts and the culture war

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2024 13:59


    Montana's attorney general faces an unprecedented sanction, but he still expects to be re-elected. A former park ranger insists Senate candidate Tim Sheehy accidentally shot himself in Glacier Park, despite the candidate's denials. An outside group tries to insert the debate over trans athletes into a Montana Supreme Court race.

    Top contenders for House and governor focus on hot-button issues in recent debates

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2024 13:59


    The two main candidates for governor spar over property taxes, housing costs, and abortion. And the two candidates for the western district congressional race tussle over the same issues in recent debates.

    Campaign Beat: Politics, courts and professional misconduct

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2024 12:04


    State Attorney General Austin Knudsen is making headlines β€” but not the kind you want when you're seeking reelection. Two state Supreme Court candidates are hoping to get voters' attention.

    No surprises in the Senate debate; A shotgun enters the chat

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 13:10


    Jon Tester and Tim Sheehy land the punches they want to land in their debate. And U.S. House candidate Monica Tranel turns to the time-honored Montana campaign tradition of shooting something out of the sky.

    A ballot blunder, border bluster and a broken bibliography

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2024 14:00


    A quickly corrected ballot error raises questions; A new ad questions Monica Tranel's stance on the border; Controversial South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem stumps for Tim Sheehy, who has no comment on evidence he plagiarized portions of his memoir.

    Governor candidates agree to debate; Housing costs are in the spotlight; NRA enters the fray

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2024 13:54


    Voters will get one chance to see candidates for governor debate. Housing costs are in the spotlight. The NRA enters the fray in the U.S. Senate race.

    Crow Tribe calls out Sheehy; Dems keep quiet on Harris; Ads focus on borders, gender & race

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 13:58


    Montana Democratic candidates are not anxious to ride Kamala Harris's coattails. Monica Tranel vows to make the border safer, while her opponent Ryan Zinke vows to protect girls sports from trans athletes. Tim Sheehy remains silent about insulting Montana's Crow Tribe. And Republicans accuse Jon Tester of bias against white farmers.

    Campaign Beat: New poll puts Sheehy in the lead, new audio puts him in the hot seat

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 14:00


    Tim Sheehy leads Jon Tester in a new Senate race poll. Audio of a racist comment from Sheehy surfaces. Campaign ads feature familiar themes. And, the two leading candidates for governor may soon square off to debate. Campaign Beat is back for the general election!

    Primary election wrap-up; Candidates roll out new attack ads; We'll be back in the fall!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 14:03


    The primary election had few surprises β€” but laid the groundwork for some bruising general election races. New ads in the Senate and gubernatorial races come out swinging. Campaign Beat will return in September.

    Republicans rush to Trump's defense; Don't forget about dark money! The primary is on June 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2024 14:01


    Montana's Republican congressmen stick with Trump, despite his criminal conviction. Democrat Jon Tester is well ahead of his Republican opponent Tim Sheehy in fundraising. Dark money groups are also spending heavily in that Senate race. Tuesday's primary features intriguing contests in the eastern district Republican congressional race, and in the Republican race for Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court.

    Property tax blame game; Gianforte weighs-in on legislative races

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2024 13:30


    Voter outrage over high property taxes is a big campaign issue, but how will that translate at the polls? Gov. Gianforte's primary endorsements aren't sitting well with some Republicans. Jon Tester unveils a new hard-hitting ad against his opponent Tim Sheehy. Tim Sheehy has a new ad with a powerful message about his military service.

    Knudsen tattles on himself; Voters reject school taxes; Tester walks the tightrope

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 14:02


    Democrats allege Attorney General Knudsen broke campaign finance rules. Tester's betting he has the political juice to outperform President Biden in Montana. Is there more to the recent widespread school levy defeats than just tax fatigue?

    Migrant family draws ire in the Flathead; Tester backs immigration bill; Will there be a special session?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2024 13:59


    Republicans clamor over the arrival of a migrant family in the Flathead. Tester signs on to a Republican immigration bill. And calls for a special legislative session are racking up.

    Shying away from the spotlight; Ducking the debates; Trashing transplants

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2024 13:55


    Tim Sheehy seemed to shy away from the spotlight when Don Jr. came to campaign. Congressional candidates who showed up to debate talk immigration, climate change and transplants; Schools superintendent candidate faces legal troubles.

    The best of times, the worst of times; One of these ads is not like the others

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2024 13:56


    A Republican candidate's new ad stands out for its subtlety. Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy says times are bad and change is needed, while Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte argues times are good and he should get another term. A national group opposed to abortion is going door-to-door in Montana. Rep. Zinke votes no on more aid for Israel.

    Cash pours into the Senate race; Sheehy bullet story doesn't add up; The press gets pushed out

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2024 13:54


    The mystery of the lodged bullet continues. Is it fair for candidates to both criticize and shun the press? As expected, campaign fundraising is breaking records. Learn more now on Campaign Beat.

    Did Sheehy shoot himself in the foot? Can an anti-Trump Republican win in Montana?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2024 13:58


    Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Tim Sheehy faces scrutiny over a mysterious bullet wound and his company's finances. New polling illustrates just how close and competitive that Senate race is. And at least one candidate in the crowded Eastern District House race turns his back on Trump.

    Abortion amendment fuels feud between the Legislature and courts; Who loves Trump the most?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2024 13:52


    A constitutional amendment to protect abortion moves closer to getting on the ballot. The Republican fight with the judiciary keeps escalating. And the winner of the Republican eastern district congressional primary may boil down to who loves the Trump the most.

    Voting laws blocked; Abortion amendment amended; Arntzen rebuked again

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2024 13:08


    Republican lawmakers aren't happy with the State Supreme Court's voting rights ruling. Abortion rights activists aren't happy with Attorney General Knudsen's changes to a proposed constitutional amendment. The Board of Public Education isn't happy with School Superintendent Elsie Arntzen's job performance. Cheer up! It's time for another episode of Campaign Beat.

    Abortion proposal clears a hurdle; Ranchers, rhinestone cowboys and ... Beyonce

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2024 13:49


    Abortion supporters face a tight deadline to get a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. Senate hopeful Tim Sheehy talks up his ranching credentials, but an ad from his opponents calls him a rhinestone cowboy. Gov. Gianforte has a lot more money in the bank than challenger Ryan Busse.

    Will bad publicity turn good for Tester and Arntzen? Whose coattails are longer?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2024 13:46


    Sen. Tester's position on the war in Gaza could cost him some young voters. State school superintendent and Republican congressional candidate Elsie Arntzen has angered some members of her party. Democrats hope to pick up a few more legislative seats this year.

    Rosendale drops out – again! Party bosses, pet candidates and poll numbers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2024 14:02


    Matt Rosendale's roller coaster campaign decisions have everyone β€” including the Campaign Beat team β€” scratching their heads. Meanwhile, the Senate race is getting tighter.

    Rosendale is back and wearing the team jersey. Could Daines become the Senate Republican Leader?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2024 12:11


    Rosendale is in, but will that push others out of the race for his House seat? A new Democrat has entered that House race. Steve Daines is being courted to become the next leader of Senate Republicans.

    In or out? Liz Cheney with a mustache? Busse announces his running mate

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2024 14:02


    Will he, or won't he? Questions abound about Rep. Matt Rosendale's political future. A former congressman wants Rosendale's House seat. Democrat Ryan Busse picks a well-known Helena attorney as his running mate in the governor's race.

    Rosendale's bombshell. His future in the U.S. House? Gianforte makes a run for the border.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2024 14:00


    Rosendale makes it official. A former Rep. hints at a sudden return. China, China, China!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2024 13:58


    Matt Rosendale joins the U.S. Senate race. A familiar name in Montana politics may run for Rosendale's House seat. And both Democrats and Republicans target China in their campaign ads.

    National Dems bet on Tranel; Who's more MAGA? Racicot says Trump should be disqualified

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2024 14:00


    Democrat Monica Tranel's race for Congress is drawing national attention and resources. Montana Republicans are getting chippy with each other over who should be their nominee for Senate. And former Gov. Marc Racicot thinks Donald Trump should not be allowed to run again for president.

    Busse makes his case; Candidates buck their party; He's not a president but he plays one on TV

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2024 13:12


    The Democratic candidate for governor thinks Montanans are ready to reject Republicans. Rep. Matt Rosendale is having a very public feud with one of his Republican Senate colleagues. And former Gov. Steve Bullock stars in a new documentary about a potential civil war.

    A House race rematch, a low-key incumbent, a MAGA candidate and an abortion initiative

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2024 13:53


    Montana's western district congressional race is dΓ©jΓ  vu all over again. Gov. Gianforte quietly announces he's running again, while his Democratic opponent hopes to make a loud splash. Republican Senatorial candidate Tim Sheehy goes full MAGA. Attorney General Austin Knudsen tries to keep an abortion initiative off the ballot.

    Campaign Beat: Money will fuel the governor's race in more ways than one

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2024 13:50


    If Gov. Gianforte runs for re-election, as expected, he'll face a political newcomer with an old message: the ultra-rich don't care about everyday Montanans. But are voters even paying attention to this race?

    Candidates are busy as 2024 rolls in, and so is the Campaign Beat crew

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2024 13:45


    The incumbent seeking his 4th term faces a political newcomer β€” and maybe a previous foe β€” in Montana's U.S. Senate race. And lots of Republicans β€” and a couple of Democrats β€” are interested in Montana's eastern district congressional seat. Campaign Beat returns with news and analysis of the 2024 elections.

    Campaign Beat: 2022 post-election breakdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2022 13:23


    How Tranel lost and how Rosendale won. A snarky victory speech and emotional concession speech. A defeat for opponents of legal abortion, a legislative trouncing and Montana Democrats left with some soul-searching to do.

    What's motivating voters this year, and what surprises could Election Day hold?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2022 13:43


    This election could come down to local versus national issues. Early voting numbers show a low turnout so far. Republicans hope Tuesday's results give them a supermajority in the Legislature, and what surprises could Election Day have in store?

    A wary look at the polls; The Libertarian factor; Who does high turnout help?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2022 14:00


    A recent poll raises as many questions as answers about the mid-term election. Tranel's snake keeps slithering. Libertarians deny they're conspiring with Democrats. And conventional wisdom about voter turnout may not be so wise in this election.

    Your voter info pamphlet has some bad info, and polls show Tranel catching up to Zinke

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2022 13:27


    Polls and pundits suggest Montana's western district congressional race is tightening. New ads emphasize a mining ban and an "anti-business" bent. And, your voter information pamphlet has some bad information.

    Fundraising reports hint at a tightening House race. Will abortion issues spur higher turnout?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2022 13:20


    Abortion is on the November ballot β€” sort of. A Democratic candidate gets a couple of prominent Republican endorsements. And a local snake is getting lots of screen time this campaign season.

    Candidates are leaning on familiar themes and ads are getting nasty

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2022 13:56


    Accusations fly in the latest congressional debates, and TV ads get nastier, too. Here's what the candidates are saying this week.

    House candidates talk abortion and ethics. Should Zinke be worried about Lamb?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2022 13:53


    The western district House candidates drew clear distinctions over abortion in this week's forum in Butte. Tranel hammed Zinke over ethics investigations. Could the Libertarian candidate John Lamb hurt Zinke at the polls? Listen now on Campaign Beat.

    Lawsuits over voting restrictions are getting expensive; Republicans want to talk national issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2022 13:55


    Rep. Rosendale and Sen. Daines tell President Biden they don't want him to do something he isn't doing. The Montana Supreme Court nixes β€” for now β€” new voting restriction laws, while the bill for litigation tops one million dollars. And congressional candidate Ryan Zinke goes after his opponent Monica Tranel in a new ad also critical of the president.

    Campaign Beat: Abortion, immigration and unheeded court orders

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2022 13:44


    The Gianforte administration picks another fight with the judiciary. Abortion and immigration are two national issues influencing state elections. A Republican candidate dons body armor. And a former Republican leader says she's voting to send a Democrat to Congress.

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