Montana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse has made a move to push Republican Governor Greg Gianforte into a debate by releasing 10 years of income tax records. This action follows Gianforte's dismissal of Busse as a non-serious candidate and his reluctance to debate until the Democrat disclosed his tax returns.
Busse's decision to release his tax records to The Associated Press is seen as an attempt to challenge Gianforte ahead of the November election. Despite facing an uphill battle in a state dominated by Republicans, Busse is determined to gain traction against the incumbent governor.
Gianforte's campaign manager responded to Busse's tax disclosure by stating that the governor now welcomes a debate, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the political process. Previously, Gianforte had insisted on a credible candidate who had released their tax returns before agreeing to a debate.
Busse, a former gun company executive, revealed that his income over the past decade averaged around $260,000 annually. His primary income source was Kimber Manufacturing before transitioning to Aspen Communications, a public relations firm run by his wife.
In contrast, Gianforte's wealth stems from the sale of his software company in 2011, with his income averaging over $6 million annually from investments. As governor, Gianforte receives a salary of approximately $120,000 per year.
Despite being outspent by Gianforte in previous campaigns, Busse managed to outraise the governor in the latest financial reporting period. However, Gianforte still holds a significant cash advantage heading into the final stretch of the election season.
With both candidates now poised for a potential debate, the focus shifts to the issues at hand as Montana voters prepare to make their decision in the upcoming election.
