Penny Ronning

Montana Republican Matt Rosendale won a second term in the U.S. House on Tuesday as he fended off a pair of challengers in the race for a newly drawn district representing the eastern portion of the state.

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.

Former Billings city council member Penny Ronning is courting voters in rural eastern Montana in her bid to win the 2nd Congressional District House seat. The Democratic candidate will need all the votes she can get in a crowded race.

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

Montana PBS will host Montana's U.S. House (eastern) District 2 candidate debate. Incumbent Matt Rosendale (R), Penny Ronning (D), and Gary Buchanan (I) will debate live in studio at 7 p.m. on October 6, 2022.

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.

Cook Political Report has rated the western district as slightly more competitive than the eastern race, but projects that both will go to Republicans.

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?