Republican Greg Gianforte has emerged victorious in the gubernatorial race in Montana, defeating Democrat Ryan Busse. Gianforte, who previously made his mark as a software entrepreneur and served four years in Congress, first took office as governor in 2020. Over recent election cycles, the Republican Party has maintained a strong hold on the state’s political landscape.

Busse, who has a background as a former executive in the gun industry, struggled to resonate with voters through his campaign, which centered around criticism of property tax hikes attributed to Gianforte’s administration. While property tax concerns lingered, the Gianforte administration has overseen a reduction in income taxes and significant job growth within the state. His campaign was supported by Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras.

The announcement of Gianforte’s win was confirmed at 10:00 p.m. EST, marking another successful election for Republicans in Montana as they continue to steer the state’s political direction. Gianforte’s re-election reflects the prevailing trends of GOP dominance in local governance.