Central Montana Times

The June 2 primaries for Montana governor are right around the corner, and a recent interview with Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) provides insight into the candidate.

According to Montana Public Radio, Gianforte has been the U.S. Representative for the state since 2017 and has lived in Montana for 44 years. 

YPR News’ Jess Sheldahl interviewed Gianforte, who said that he fell in love with Montana after coming to the state as a student. In his time as a representative, Gianforte has focused on lowering health care costs, improving access to rural broadband, and lowering taxes, as well as trimming down regulations that stand in the way of Americans and the American Dream. 

Sheldahl asked Gianforte if he would support the repeal of Montana’s expansion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

“No, I would not support the repeal,” Gianforte said, according to the radio station. “I think once it's in place, people are relying on it. I'm concerned about how we pay for it long-term.”

Gianforte said that he has co-sponsored 16 bills focused on reducing costs, increasing access to telemedicine and rural access to medicine, as well as more affordable price points for drugs and protecting those with preexisting conditions.

Gianforte said that he is in support of alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind. 

When asked about his financial support, which has been met with criticism — as Gianforte loaned his own campaign half a million dollars — he said, per YPR, that direct fundraising has brought in a great deal of funding to his campaign and that he has not been the only supporter of his campaign.

Gianforte also spoke about his business ownership and how it has helped him as a leader. 

“Over a 15 year period, we grew an organization with over 500 good-paying jobs here in Bozeman,” Gianforte said, according to YPR. “Over 1,100 jobs around the world. We also had a very entrepreneurial environment. I'm proud of the fact that this high tech sector that has our fingerprints on it.” 

Gianforte has been married to his wife for 32 years and raised his family of four children in Bozeman.