Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

The race for governor could not offer a starker contrast between the two candidates. Congressman Gianforte has proven himself to be a hardworking, job creator, problem solver, and innovator. Mike Cooney has been a typical lifelong bureaucrat, protecting only his own job, and living off taxpayers. These differences, however, are merely the tip of the iceberg.

Greg has the proven business leadership experience we need in the governor’s office. That’s because he has spent his entire career creating jobs, solving problems, and serving others. Greg know what it takes, and as our next governor, he’ll roll up his sleeves immediately and get to work on Montana’s comeback.

Greg’s the only candidate who has built a business in Montana and created good-paying Montana jobs. His story is well known to us now. How he and his wife, Susan, started a business in their home in Bozeman, growing it into the town’s largest commercial employer, creating over 500 high-paying Montana jobs, and helping launch Montana’s high-tech sector. It’s this experience that Greg will bring to the governor’s office, that will help foster a pro-business environment in Montana.

To get us through the virus and economic crisis, Greg Gianforte put forward a detailed plan for Montana’s comeback. As our next governor, Greg will get our economy going again, get Montana open for business, and get Montanans back to work – all while protecting our Montana way of life. He’s also already committed to holding the line on state spending, cut tax rates for all Montana taxpayers, and protecting our families and communities from crime, drugs, and addiction. Greg is also definitively against a state sales tax.

On the other hand, there is Mike Cooney, the epitome of a career politician. Cooney has been running for office since Jimmy Carter ran for president and has bounced between political jobs for 44 years. He was even caught, recently, illegally campaigning on the taxpayer dime in his government office, coordinating on a call with a dark money group.

He was found guilty of violating state ethics laws and fined the maximum amount for his illegal activity.

Cooney is out of touch, saying Montana’s economy is fine and doesn’t need a comeback, even while more than 150,000 Montanans have filed for unemployment and many of our Main Street businesses have closed for good. Montana’s wages have recently been ranked as the 44th lowest average wages of all 50 states. All of which has occurred on his watch.

Cooney’s plan for Montana isn’t a comeback, it isn’t anything other than more of the same. Higher taxes, more government mandates, and higher government spending. But this isn’t new – for 44 years Mike Cooney has supported hundreds of millions of dollars in higher taxes and fees. And that’s why it’s clear that Montana can’t afford out-of-touch, career politician Mike Cooney.

This election shows the choice could not be more clear. Greg has been successful throughout his career because of his hard work, problem solving, and fresh ideas. Cooney has spent the last 44 years trying to make the same failed tax and spend policies work. He obviously hasn’t figured out after all this time that it doesn’t work, and that’s why we are 44th in wages. This November it’s time for new leadership in Helena, and Greg Gianforte is ready to lead.

Speaker Pro Tempore Wylie Galt