Bullock knocks Gianforte at Dem. dinner

Gov. Steve Bullock touted his first term record and his qualities to bridge the partisan divide - saying his opponent is out of touch - while addressing local Democrats at their annual Pasma-Peck Dinner Tuesday night at the Havre Eagle's Club.

The dinner, named after former area Democratic party icons political organizer Jim Pasma and former state Rep. Ray Peck, is the Hill County Democratic Party's largest yearly fundraiser.

Bullock, who will be on the ballot in November, thanked the 55 area Democrats who were at the dinner, for voting and campaigning on his behalf four years ago. Bullock, then a first-term state attorney general bested former Republican Congressman Rick Hill by 7,571 votes. Bullock said the support and enthusiasm of Hill County Democrats were key to his victory.

"It was your efforts that got Sen.Tester and I into office because you worked hard," Bullock said to the crowd as they dined on prime rib. "You gave money, knocked on doors, you talked to people."

Bullock sought to rally local Democrats yet again Tuesday night, as he finds himself engaged in a particularly nasty race with high-tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Republican Greg Gianforte.

Both candidates have hit the airwaves and barnstormed the state accusing each other of being out of touch with the realities and concerns of Montanans.

"You don't have to go beyond your mailbox and turn on the TV to know that he will spend anything and say anything to get elected," Bullock said.

He accused Gianforte of distorting facts about Bullock's record and portrayed him as an ally of out-of-state interests whose priorities are contrary to what Bullock called Montana values.

Bullock blasted Gianforte for filing a 2009 suit against Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regarding a point of easement dispute along a property Gianforte owns along the East Gallatin River. Gianforte's campaign said the suit was filed as a result of a misunderstanding with FWP that was later resolved - not an attempt to deny access. Democrats have sought to use the lawsuit to portray Gianforte as opposing open access to public lands and supporting the transfer of public lands to private interests.

"He filed suit against Montana," Bullock said. "He filed suit against each of us through eliminating easement on his property that for decades provided public access to the East Gallatin River."

Bullock knocked Gianforte for a series of other campaign gaffes, including remarks Gianforte made a month ago about economic conditions in Indian Country.

A Democratic party activist recorded Gianforte at a July event in Huntley, where the businessman said certain factors - such as what he called the uneven application of the rule of law, lack of private property rights and the lack of a culture that celebrates success - that contribute to poor economic conditions on reservations.

Those statements were met with a strong rebuke from Darrin Old Coyote of the Crow Tribe, who said recently that Gianforte "needed to do his homework" about issues affecting Indian Country.

Bullock said the remarks from his rivals "disparage our First Nations."

Bullock also touted a series of items on his agenda that passed the Republican-controlled legislature last year. Those include the Disclose Act, which requires that political groups disclose the names of their donors and increases campaign reporting requirements. He also touted record funding for public education and the passage of legislation that expands medicaid.

He said those victories happened because he and other Democrats reached out to Republicans to seek common ground.

Bullock said that much is at stake in the election including the fate of access to public lands and public education.

Those points were echoed by Jacob Bachmeier, the party's candidate looking to unseat first term state Rep. Stephanie Hess, R-Havre, in House District 28.

When he later spoke to the crowd. Bachmeier chided Republicans for opposing an infrastructure bill last legislative session.

"Unfortunately the radical faction of the Republican Party slashed and slashed and slashed infrastructure funding and they didn't even pass the bill," he said.

Bachmeier, who said his own race is difficult but winnable, called for the party faithful to not be complacent and to get out and vote.

"With Gianforte and other outside interests trying to influence our Montana values, it's OK to be upset, but we need to translate our emotions into actions," he said.