Two candidates for Montana’s eastern congressional district on Wednesday used the debate stage to define themselves as the best alternative to the incumbent Republican, who declined to participate.
The candidate forum held in the Petro Theatre on the campus of Montana State University Billings Wednesday and was sponsored by Lee Enterprises newspapers and Yellowstone Public Radio. It was moderated by Dr. Paul Pope, an associate professor of political science at MSUB. Panelists included Billings Gazette politics reporter Tom Lutey and YPR news director Nadya Faulx.
Rep. Matt Rosendale did not take part in the forum, saying he had a scheduling conflict. Libertarian candidate Sam Rankin had initially agreed to participate, but pulled out of the debate earlier on Wednesday. In a statement, he said he objected to the “one-minute answer format.”
Democrat Penny Ronning…
