(Montana Free Press) U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte told Montana Republicans he’s “all in” and will go “all out” in the 2020 governor’s race, citing his experience as a business executive, job creator and problem solver.

“For 16 years, one party has controlled the governor’s office,” he said. “For 16 years, Republican policies and conservative solutions have been met with a veto pen.”

Montanans have told him the state needs new leadership in the governor’s office, “an executive in the governor’s office, someone with business experience and a customer service mindset,” Gianforte said.  He and his wife founded RightNow Technologies, a computer software business in Bozeman that later merged with Oracle.

“My No. 1 priority is to work day-in and day-out to create more higher-wage jobs for Montana and more opportunities for Montanans to prosper,” he said.  At RightNow Technologies, Gianforte said, he and his wife created 500 jobs with an average salary of $90,000 a year, not counting benefits, which helped bring Montanans home from other states.

Gianforte filed the paperwork to run for governor last week but made his formal announcement at a noon speech at the Republican State Officers’ Convention.

He is in a Republican field for governor that includes Attorney General Tim Fox and state Sen. Al Olszewski of Kalispell. Incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock is term-limited.

Gianforte lost to Bullock for governor in 2016 and was elected to Congress in a 2017 special election, and re-elected in 2018.

Gianforte pledged that, if elected, he would oppose all tax increases, as well as a sales tax. He vowed to stand up for gun rights, and said he would “always defend life.” The candidate called for keeping public lands accessible and in the public’s hands, and that he will offer solutions to fight the spread of meth and opioid abuse and work to help nonviolent offenders back on their feet, focusing on rehabilitation rather than incarceration.

Jack Cutter, a spokesman for Fox’s campaign, criticized Gianforte for abandoning his seat in Congress.

“Montanans deserve a governor who will actually serve the people of Montana, not just use their trust as a means to campaign for higher office,” Cutter said. “Greg has made his priorities clear. His ambition is more important than his commitments to Montanans.”

Olszewski said he supported Gianforte’s past races but wishes he would remain in Congress. Gianforte’s entry into the governor’s race will work to the Olszewski’s advantage, the lawmaker said.

“The contrast and comparison of our respective service and success will clearly show that I am the best man to lead Montana as our next governor,” Olszewski said.

Montana Democratic Party Chair Monica Lindeen said Gianforte “is asking Montanans to vote for an anti-health care, anti-public access, anti-privacy, failed candidate.”  She said Gianforte in Congress voted repeatedly against affordable health care, but voted for tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.

“Montanans do not want someone in the governor’s office who will protect his own wealth over the well-being of everyday Montanans,” Lindeen said.

This story originally appeared online at Montana Free Press.

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