Bernie Sanders to campaign for Rob Quist
IN THIS Jan. 17 file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Promising to “expose the Republican Party for what it is,” Sanders predicted April 12 that President Donald Trump would be a one-term president as the liberal icon prepared to launch a nationwide tour to rally Democrats. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
HELENA — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is expected to campaign on behalf of Rob Quist, who is seeking Montana’s lone seat in the U.S. House in a special election next month.
“Rob Quist is the only person in this race who understands that we need a government in Washington that works for all Montanans and all Americans and not just the special interests and the billionaire class,” Sanders said in a press release issued by Quist’s campaign. “Congress right now is dominated by politicians who worry about the needs of their wealthy campaign contributors. We need members of Congress like Rob who will work to rebuild the shrinking middle class, who will fight all attempts to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and will oppose tax breaks for the very rich.
“Rob is a populist, grassroots candidate fighting for the working families of Montana. I look forward to campaigning with him in May and working with him in Congress.”
Quist’s campaign manager Tina Olechowski said Monday that Sanders is expected to be in the state next month, but the dates and locations of the campaign stops haven’t been determined.
Quist is running against Republican Greg Gianforte and Libertarian Mark Wicks for the seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke when he became Interior secretary.
Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to make campaign stops Friday and Saturday on behalf of Gianforte, who lost the 2016 gubernatorial race to incumbent Gov. Steve Bullock.
Absentee ballots will be mailed out May 1. The election is set for May 25.