Even With No Love from DNC, Sanders-Backed Montana Longshot Surges

Rob Quist, the once-longshot, banjo-strumming populist running for Montana’s empty U.S. House seat, is giving Republicans a scare.

On Thursday, Quist’s campaign announced a startling $5 million fundraising haul that came from more than 200,000 individual donations over the course of 85 days. What’s more, the political novice has refused contributions from lobbyists and corporate political action committees, earning him the respect of progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who will hold a campaign rally in Missoula on Saturday, as well as events in Butte, Billings, and Bozeman ahead of the May 25th special election.

The Treasure State’s sole House seat, previously occupied by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, has not been held by a Democrat since 1997. However, the GOP and pro-corporate groups are clearly feeling the heat and pouring millions into the campaign of Quist’s Republican opponent, Greg Gianforte, a wealthy software engineer who launched a failed bid for Montana governor last year. Libertarian candidate Mark Wicks is also running.

Like the race for Georgia’s sixth district, many see Montana’s special election as a test of the resistance to President Donald Trump, who is currently knee-deep in scandal—from the firing of FBI Director James Comey, to his myriad conflicts of interest, to possible connections between his campaign and Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Despite this, Gianforte has continued to voice support for Trump.

At the same time, voters have also been greatly frustrated by Republican legislators who not only have rushed to the president’s defense but are actively working to destroy healthcare for millions of Americans.

Many believe the healthcare issue could prove to be the GOP’s downfall in many state-level races, including Montana.

“Rob’s story is resonating with voters who want someone who will stand up for them,” Quist campaign spokeswoman Tina Olechowski told The Hill. “After medical complications following surgery, Rob got into debt. He paid off his debt, but Rob believes no one should ever face bankruptcy just because they get sick. Greg Gianforte supports the health care bill that would raise costs for consumers, eliminate health coverage for seventy thousand Montanans, and end protections for pre-existing conditions—all to pay for huge tax breaks for millionaires like Gianforte himself.”

Similarly, Sanders said last month, “Rob Quist is the only person in this race who understands that we need a government in Washington that works for all Montanans and all Americans and not just the special interests and the billionaire class.”