Bullock claims lead in 'legal' donations

HELENA — A contested donation of $500,000 gave Republican Rick Hill a fundraising win over Democrat Steve Bullock in campaign reports filed Monday in the race for governor.

Bullock reported raising about $321,000 in September and much of October. That fell far short of the whopping $733,000 that Hill reported for the same fundraising period.

The Republican Party earlier disclosed it gave Hill $500,000 during a six-day window that opened earlier this month after a federal judge threw out the state's contribution limits. An appeals court later reinstated the donation limits, and Bullock is argui...