This is the first of a three-part series on MTN-MSU’s post-election poll
BOZEMAN – Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester defeated Republican challenger Matt Rosendale last November largely on his strength among independent voters, an MTN News-Montana State University post-election poll shows.
And while President Donald Trump visited the state an unprecedented four times in 2018 to campaign against Tester, poll data indicate his efforts probably had more impact on the U.S. House race won by Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte.
MSU political scientist David Parker, who helped devise and conduct the poll, said Trump’s visits “nationalized” the House contest between Gianforte and lesser-known Democratic challenger Kathleen Williams.