Greg Gianforte, a Republican candidate for Congress from Montana, has been charged with misdemeanor assault.
Gianforte allegedly assaulted a reporter before what was to be his final campaign rally in Bozeman on Wednesday evening. At least three witnesses watched the candidate "body slam" Ben Jacobs, who works for The Guardian news publication. Some of the witnesses worked for Fox News and provided an account of the incident.
"Following multiple interviews and an investigation by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office it was determined there was probable cause to issue a citation to Greg Gianforte for misdemeanor assault," Sheriff Brian Gootkin wrote in a
post on Facebook.
The incident occurred on the last full day of a closely-watched campaign that drew
Vice
President Mike Pence to the state to campaign for Gianforte. Voters are at the polls on Thursday to choose someone to fill the
U.S. House seat vacated by
Ryan Zinke, who now serves as
Secretary of the Interior under
President Donald Trump.
The Democratic candidate is
Rob Quist. He brought
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), who remains popular in Indian Country despite losing the
presidential nomination in 2016, to help him campaign.
Gianforte ran for governor of Montana in 2016. He came under fire during that campaign after
blaming tribal culture for a lack of economic success in Indian Country.
The Billings Gazette and
The Missoulian quickly withdrew endorsements for Gianforte after the incident.
Read More on the Story:
Republican candidate charged with assault after 'body-slamming' Guardian reporter
(The Guardian 5/25)
GOP candidate cited for assault as newspapers pull endorsements
(The Washington Post 5/25)
Greg Gianforte: Fox News team witnesses GOP House candidate 'body slam' reporter
(Fox News 5/24)
Gianforte charged with misdemeanor assault over incident with reporter
(The Great Falls Tribune 5/24)
Gianforte cited for misdemeanor assault; allegedly body-slammed reporter
(The Missoulian 5/24)
Greg Gianforte cited for 'body slamming' reporter on eve of election
(Lee Newspapers 5/24)
Greg Gianforte, Montana G.O.P. Candidate, Is Charged in Attack on Reporter
(The New York Times 5/24)
Some Opinions:
Missoulian rescinds Gianforte endorsement
(The Missoulian 5/24)
Editorial:
We're pulling our endorsement of Greg Gianforte
(The Billings Gazette 5/25)
Join the Conversation
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