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MFT announces co-chairs and more than 100 initial members of Republican-led group supporting Jon

BILLINGS – Montanans for Tester launched “Republicans for Tester,” a group of Montana Republicans backing dirt farmer Jon Tester for U.S. Senate. 

The group, which launched with more than 100 Republicans from across Montana voicing their support for Jon, is made up of former Montana elected officials, business owners, and community leaders. 

Notable members include former Governor and RNC Chair Marc Racicot, former Secretary of State Bob Brown, former state legislator Mallerie Stromswald from Yellowstone County, former Great Falls Mayor Mike Winters, former Montana Republican Party Chair and Lewis & Clark County Commissioner Susan Good-Geise, and Columbia Falls City Council Member and veteran Mike Shepard.

“Montana will always come first for me – and I will take on anyone, from any party, to defend our state,” said Senator Jon Tester. “I’m honored to have the support of Montana Republicans who have stood with me to fight for our veterans, protect our freedoms, and keep the government out of our personal lives. Montanans didn’t send me to Washington to play politics, they sent me to deliver results – and together we’re going to win this election and keep fighting to keep Montana strong.”

Jon has consistently been rated as one of the most effective, bipartisan senators in Washington – and he stands up to anyone, from any party, to defend Montana. Jon has a long–established record of standing up to the Biden administration when they’ve pushed something that would hurt Montana. Additionally Jon had more than 20 of his bills signed into law under President Trump to help veterans, crack down on government waste and abuse, and support our first responders.

STATEMENTS FROM REPUBLICANS FOR TESTER CO-CHAIRS

“For going on three decades I’ve known and worked with Jon Tester as he has tirelessly set about to serve all Montanans, Democrats and Republicans alike. Jon has, without exception, executed his duties with an elevated focus upon the public good,” said Republicans for Tester Co-Chair and former Montana Governor Marc Racicot. “Not unexpectedly, it has always been people, not parties, who have come first with Jon Tester. I’m proud to support our senior senator because I’m absolutely confident he’ll continue to protect and defend our liberty and our Montana way of life.”

“I’ve personally known Jon Tester for almost thirty years, and I’ve always known him to be the genuine article. He’s Montanan through and through,” said Republicans for Tester Co-Chair and former Secretary of State Bob Brown. “He will always stand up to his party to do what’s right for the state. I served as Montana’s Republican Secretary of State and I know what our state needs. I trust Jon to keep fighting to secure the border, help our veterans, and relentlessly defend our Second Amendment rights. This election is about Montana, and Jon is the right choice for our state.”

“I’m an irrigated farmer from Malta, and I’m going to be voting for Donald Trump this fall. I’m also proud to vote for Senator Tester,” said Republicans for Tester Co-Chair and Chairman of the Milk River Joint Board of Control Wade I. Jones. “I’ve been working on fixing the St Mary’s Irrigation System for 21 years, and Jon Tester is the only one to bring actual dollars to modernize this piece of critical infrastructure. Jon’s the real deal.”

“I trust Jon. I served as mayor of Great Falls, not too far from Jon’s farm in Big Sandy, and I’m a Republican,” said Republicans for Tester Co-Chair and former Great Falls Mayor Mike Winters. “I may not always see eye to eye with Jon on every issue, but I know he’ll always talk straight with me – and he’s proven that he will always fight for Montana’s best interests. I know I can count on Jon, and that’s why Jon can count on me as a Republican to vote for him.”

“Montana might be changing, but Jon Tester’s commitment to our state never has. As a Republican City Council Member from Columbia Falls, a veteran, and past Commander of two American Legion posts, I’ve seen Jon Tester’s service up close and know that he recognizes the numerous problems facing Montana veterans,” said Republicans for Tester Co-Chair, Columbia Falls City Council Member, and veteran Mike Shepard. “He answered the call and wrote and passed legislation to transform veterans’ care in this county. Whether it’s his Commander John Scott Hannon Act to get us the mental health care we need or his PACT Act to address toxic exposure, Jon Tester is the only member of our delegation fighting day in and day out for Montana veterans. He is relentless, which is why I’m proud to support Jon Tester and endorse him for re-election.”

REPUBLICANS FOR TESTER CO-CHAIRS