Gianforte wins Montana gubernatorial primary

Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) won the GOP primary in Montana’s gubernatorial race on Tuesday, setting the stage for what is expected to be a hard-fought battle to lead the state.

Gianforte beat out Tim Fox, his nearest competitor, by about 26 points with over 81 percent of precincts reporting. He is set to face off against Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney (D), who won his primary race by about 11 points.

The Montana Republican was elected to the state’s at-large congressional seat during a special election to replace then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in 2017. Gianforte opted to pursue higher office last year.

Gianforte and Cooney will run to replace Gov. Steve Bullock (D), who is term-limited and running for the Senate. The Cook Political Report rates the Montana race as a “toss up.”