2020 Montana Governor Voters Guide

Mike Cooney (D) vs Greg Gianforte (R)

Governor | Election | Nov 3, 2020

The Candidates

Mike Cooney

Mike Cooney

Democrat

Greg Gianforte

Greg Gianforte

Republican

The Issues

Affordable Care Act

Support Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare? Support expansion of Medicaid and Medicare?

Campaign Finance

Require political ads to disclose their largest funders?

Greg Gianforte (R)

Likely no. Opposed HR1, which mandates political ads to disclose their largest funders, though possibly due to other objections.

COVID-19

Support administration’s response to coronavirus pandemic?

Mike Cooney (D)

No. Criticized response that saw states “scrambling and competing.”  Would make insurance fully cover testing and treatment.

Greg Gianforte (R)

Yes.  Voted against congressional committee to oversee administration’s Covid-19 response. Favors “personal responsibility” over “government mandates” on masks.

Economic response to coronavirus pandemic?

Greg Gianforte (R)

”Get economy going again, get Montanans back to work in good-paying jobs, and get Montana open for business.” Cut taxes and regulations on energy, mining, natural resources, high tech, and tourism industries.

Education

Increase K-12 public funding?

Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Greg Gianforte (R)

Yes. For public funding for private schools. Joined amicus brief in Espinoza case, calling ruling “a step in the right direction.”

Financial Regulation

Tighten or loosen oversight of banks and credit card companies?

Gun Laws

Enact more restrictive legislation on guns?

Support “right- to-work” laws, eliminating unions’ ability to mandate dues for workers they represent?

Mike Cooney (D)

No. Testified against 2019 House bill that would have further limited Montana public sector unions. “Why would anybody support people having the right to work for less?”

Greg Gianforte (R)

Likely yes. Voted in Congress against bills strengthening unions, including one to give TSA employees same rights on the job as other federal workers.

LGBT Rights

Support LGBTQ rights, including same-sex marriage and protection from discrimination on sexual orientation?

Greg Gianforte (R)

No. Voted against Equality Act, prohibiting discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Marijuana

Legalize recreational marijuana? Support Initiatives I-190 and I-118 to do this?

Mike Cooney (D)

Not opposed, but let voters decide on “a commonsense strategy that suits Montana’s needs.”

Minimum Wage

Raise Montana state hourly minimum wage above current $8.65?

Planned Parenthood

Support Planned Parenthood’s receiving public funds for non-abortion-related care?

Student Financial Aid

Support free or subsidized tuition for lower income individuals? Support lower interest or forgiveness on student loans?

Taxes

Support administration’s $1.9 trillion (2017) tax cuts?

Greg Gianforte (R)

Yes. Voted for the cuts and praised them for helping “hardworking Montanans keep more of what they earn.”