Republicans seek concessions from Bullock after election win

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Republican leaders say Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock will be forced to shift politically in their direction after the GOP maintained decisive majorities in both the state House and Senate.

Democrats on Wednesday rejected the notion of a voter mandate that favors Republicans and noted that Bullock still wields the veto pen.

The opposing messages offered by the two parties Wednesday sets the stage for a repeat of the partisan acrimony that emerged during Bullock’s first term.

Further complicating the upcoming legislative session are declines in tax revenues that have drastically reduced the state’s budget surplus.

Republicans gained three Senate seats in Tuesday’s election and now hold a 32-18 majority. They were poised to capture at least 57 of 100 House seats up for election.