Montana’s GOP Senate primary is ramping up in the final stretch, as candidates jockey to face Sen. Jon Tester (D) in November.
State Auditor Matt Rosendale, who was recruited by the GOP after several top-tier contenders passed on the race, is still seen as the front-runner, with national outside groups putting up more than $1.8 million to help him across the finish line in the June 5 primary.
But Rosendale has also been the biggest target for attacks from his primary opponents, who have accused him of being a carpetbagger because he moved to Montana two decades ago. Rosendale’s rivals have also dubbed him a career politician and seized on his opposition to the death penalty to paint him as not conservative enough for the nomination.