This election year, Montana's state legislative races look to be the most intriguing. State lawmakers are, "the ones that will actually effect what happens in Montana in terms of policy, as far as who controls the legislature in 2015," says Lee newspapers Capitol Reporter Mike Dennison.
U.S. House candidates John Lewis and Ryan Zinke met for their second debate in Bozeman last weekend. "It was much more interesting to watch," than their first debate, says Lee newspapers Capitol Reporter Chuck Johnson. "They went after each other more, and of course the debate was on a Saturday night and absentee ballots went out Monday, so I think there is more at stake now."
We also looked at the new wave of campaign television ads. Johnson calls the latest ads from Lewis and Zinke "deceiving".
The most interesting political ad is supporting Supreme Court candidate Lawrence VanDyke. It was paid for by the Republican State Leadership Committee, an out of state Republican group.
"This may be a first in Montana history," Johnson says, "where we have seen a national political party get involved in a non partisan race." Watch the ad, and a pro-Wheat ad, below
"Campaign Beat," our weekly political analysis program, appears on Fridays throughout the fall election season.
Zinke ad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1AijIXPps4
Lewis Ad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOQjoHBMKKw
VanDyke ad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMOJGB4XlGQ
Wheat ad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnt-Go_G_ms&feature=youtu.be
