Montana tribes get new member of Congress who pleaded guilty to assault

Thursday, June 22, 2017  

The state of Montana has a new representative in the halls of Congress.

Rep. Greg Gianforte (R) is Montana's sole member of the House. He was sworn into office on Wednesday, a week after he pleaded guilty for assaulting a reporter on the eve of his election last month.

Gianforte lost the Native vote during that election. But turnout in counties where Native Americans make up the majority of the population wasn't enough to offset his gains among non-Natives.

Native Americans represent 6.6 percent of the population in Montana, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Gianforte succeeds Ryan Zinke, who now serves as Secretary of the Interior under President Donald Trump.

Read More on the Story:
Gianforte sworn in to U.S. House as fellow GOPs boo his call to curb lawmaker pay (AP 6/21)
Greg Gianforte Sworn In As Montana's US House Rep. (Montana Public Radio 6/21)
Gianforte sworn in to Congress, promises to serve all citizens (USA Today 6/21)

An Opinion:
Editorial: What Gianforte won’t say speaks volumes (The Billings Gazette 6/22)

Incoming member of Congress negotiating plea deal for assault (June 8, 2017)
Native turnout fails to sway closely-watched election in Montana (May 26, 2017)