Big Sky Times

Five gubernatorial candidates participated in a virtual debate on Saturday, the Billings Gazette reported. 

The five candidates debated as the primary is just less than a month away and ballots will hit mailboxes May 8, according to the news agency. The Greater Montana Foundation and the Montana Broadcasters Association sponsored the event.

Each candidate connected through their own video feed as the COVID-19 pandemic is still making its way through the state, beginning with Democratic candidates Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney and Whitney Williams, a Missoula businesswoman, the news agency reported.

The three Republican candidates—Attorney General Tim Fox, U.S. Rep Greg Gianforte and state Sen. Al Olszewski then took their turn.

Fox attacked Gianforte throughout the debate, saying he would avoid debates and public meetings and had no substance.

“Let me just say Mr. Fox’s behavior is shameful," the news agency reported Gianforte said. "It is shameful because he’s trying to manipulate and use false statements to manipulate voters and I’ll just leave it at that."

Gianforte said in the debate that while he believes Medicaid expansion has preserved rural access to health care, he also believes that too many are covered and incomes should be verified, as well as assets. 

Olszewski called the system, broken and wants it to be replaced and repealed. He even carried a bill last year that would offer a tax credit if people would purchase insurance from the federal exchange, the news agency reported. 

Gianforte also opposed the original water compact between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, but that the current bill before Congress isn't perfect, but avoids litigation, according to the news agency.

The news agency reported that every county in the state opted to vote by mail due to the current pandemic, however, there will still be some in-person voting at various election offices throughout the state.