2nd amendment, hunting and fishing highlight Trump Jr.’s visit to Montana – Billings Gazette

EAST HELENA The Republican candidate for Montanas empty U.S. House seat took the opportunity to again voice his support for the Second Amendment on Thursday while standing next to President Donald J. Trumps son, who emphasized his love for hunting and fishing on his second trip to the state in less than a month.

Greg Gianforte, a Bozeman technology entrepreneur who lost a bid for governor last fall in his first foray into Montana politics, spoke with Donald Trump Jr. at the Kleffner Ranch in East Helena, the first of rallies statewide in Butte, Sidney and Great Falls.

Are we going to have somebody whos going to defend our way of life against federal overreach and and work with President Trump or are we going to have someone who falls in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi? Gianforte asked a crowd of about 300.

Gianforte is facing Democrat Rob Quist, a musician from Creston, and Libertarian Mark Wicks, an Inverness rancher, in a special election May 25. Montanas lone U.S. House seat is empty after Trump appointed Ryan Zinke Secretary of the Interior.

Both Trump Jr. and Gianforte encouraged people to return their ballots, which went out at the start of the month. The election, which will be on a Thursday, could hinge on voter turnout. Turnout for special elections is typically low and Republicans are concerned about Democratic momentum sparked by frustration with Trumps election last November.

In January about 10,000 participated in the Womens March in Helena, many holding signs objecting to Trump. Quists events around the state have brought in large crowds, even in more rural and Republican areas.

Youd better be voting because the other side is voting, Trump Jr. said. Theyre going crazy, theyre raising money from the coasts. Stay vigilant, stay active, vote before May 25.

Montana's Republican Attorney General Tim Fox also spoke, as did Chris Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association.

Near the end of Trump Jr.'s speech, a protester interrupted to ask about the presidents returns. Trump has not released his tax returns, something that has historically been done by presidential candidates and because an issue both during and after the election.

The man, Mark Girdler from Helena, was quickly escorted out of the barn where the rally was held. It was unclear if he was removed by supporters or volunteers.

At the end of April, several hundred turned out for rallies with Trump Jr. in Kalispell, Hamilton, Billings and Bozeman. Quist's campaign has said former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, who bested Clinton in the June primary, will visit the state on behalf of Quist, though a date has not been announced.

Diane Mercier and Tracie Olson, both of Helena, came to the event Thursday in East Helena even though theyd both already cast their ballots for Gianforte. Mercier said she voted for Gianforte because of his conservative and Christian views.

I like his family values. And also because he is a businessman and knows all about how to build a business and create jobs.

Mercier said she is a lifelong conservative, but both she and Olson said they vote more on the candidate and issues rather than along party lines.

I look at the people at the issues, Olson said.

Both women were frustrated with advertising on each side of the campaign, saying television spots have turned negative instead of focusing on issues.

I do not like how theyre trying to make themselves look better, Olson said.

Mercier said shed rather see them talk about the issues than if somebody did or didnt pay loans. Thats good to know, but I want to hear more about the issues. Montana media has run several stories about Quist's 16-year trail of debt and financial troubles.

Several at the event said they dont know where to look for to find news that is accurate. Mercier said she looks to conservative news outlets and media, while Olson said she does not trust those.

When asked if Gianfortes efforts this election to align himself with Trump have swayed their opinions, the women paused.

Donald Trump as a person, hes brash. I do not like him as a person that you see on TV, Mercier said. But I really feel strongly there needs to be a shakeup in Washington, D.C., and hes trying to do what needs to be done.

She said she Congress has stood in the way of what Trump is trying to do.

Marie Bomar, also of Helena, was more supportive of Trumps presidency so far.

Hes certainly shaken up the world.

Helena resident Del Lonnquist said he feels like the Washington press and Washington elite Democrats are Carterizing Trump, saying at the start of former president Jimmy Carter's term in the White House the Washington press corps tried to paint him as a peanut farmer from Georgia and the same is happening now.

He couldnt tell his story, Lonnquist said. Of course he didnt have Twitter.

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2nd amendment, hunting and fishing highlight Trump Jr.'s visit to Montana - Billings Gazette