Four Republicans have so far declared their intent to challenged Tester in 2018.
Troy Downing, a businessman from Big Sky, has so far raised close to half a million dollars for his campaign. According to campaign finance reports Downing loaned more than half of that money to his campaign himself. Downing recently published a nearly two and half minute video on youtube promoting his election bid.
"Get to know a remarkable Montanan who'll make your family safer, make your life better, Troy Downing," he says in the video.
Albert Olszewski, a state senator from Kalispell, has raised about $168,000. The Associated Press reports $100,000 of that came from a loan from the candidate.
Matt Rosendale, the State Auditor, has so far drawn in more than $430,000 in campaign contributions. None of Rosendale’s fundraising has come from personal loans.
Russell Fagg, a retired judge from Billings, announced his campaign after quarterly campaign finance reports were due to the Federal Election Commission. So, no finance information is yet known about his campaign.
Sitting Senator Jon Tester had more than $5 million in cash on hand at the end of September’s reporting period, leading his potential opponents in the size of his campaign pocketbook heading into the election year.
