Tester to opponents: Be ready to 'arm wrestle' after primary

By MATT VOLZ

Associated Press

HELENA — U.S. Sen. Jon Tester has a message for the Republican Senate candidates who have bashed him in recent public appearances: Focus on your primary election first, then get ready to “arm wrestle.”

The two-term Democrat made his comments Thursday to reporters in Helena, in answer to a question about his potential opponents’ criticism of his leadership on veterans’ issues.

“I think what they really need to focus on is getting through a June election, and then we can get down to it, start to arm wrestle,” Tester said.

Businessman Troy Downin...