How Tranel lost and how Rosendale won. A snarky victory speech and emotional concession speech. A defeat for opponents of legal abortion, a legislative trouncing and Montana Democrats left with some soul-searching to do.

This election could come down to local versus national issues. Early voting numbers show a low turnout so far. Republicans hope Tuesday's results give them a supermajority in the Legislature, and what surprises could Election Day have in store?

A recent poll raises as many questions as answers about the mid-term election. Tranel's snake keeps slithering. Libertarians deny they're conspiring with Democrats. And conventional wisdom about voter turnout may not be so wise in this election.

Polls and pundits suggest Montana's western district congressional race is tightening. New ads emphasize a mining ban and an "anti-business" bent. And, your voter information pamphlet has some bad information.

Abortion is on the November ballot — sort of. A Democratic candidate gets a couple of prominent Republican endorsements. And a local snake is getting lots of screen time this campaign season.

Accusations fly in the latest congressional debates, and TV ads get nastier, too. Here's what the candidates are saying this week.

The western district House candidates drew clear distinctions over abortion in this week's forum in Butte. Tranel hammed Zinke over ethics investigations. Could the Libertarian candidate John Lamb hurt Zinke at the polls? Listen now on Campaign Beat.

Rep. Rosendale and Sen. Daines tell President Biden they don't want him to do something he isn't doing. The Montana Supreme Court nixes — for now — new voting restriction laws, while the bill for litigation tops one million dollars. And congressional candidate Ryan Zinke goes after his opponent Monica Tranel in a new ad also critical of the president.

The Gianforte administration picks another fight with the judiciary. Abortion and immigration are two national issues influencing state elections. A Republican candidate dons body armor. And a former Republican leader says she's voting to send a Democrat to Congress.

The only joint appearance with congressional candidates Ryan Zinke and Monica Tranel was quite animated. Both have new TV ads out — featuring a snake and a rodeo. And Dems seem torn over who to support in the eastern district race.

In the western U.S. House primaries, The Zinke-Olszewski race was surprisingly close, and Tranel's margin of victory over Neumann was surprisingly large. What's in store for the general election? Will Montana Dems show up?

Super PACs may be following the law but are they playing fair? Ryan Zinke's new ad wants to reassure voters he doesn't live in California. Democrats may have to reckon with a deceased candidate winning the eastern congressional district primary. And the contested western congressional district could boost voter turnout in this mid-term election. Listen now on Campaign Beat.