Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who at instances has cozied as much as Donald Trump as he tries to win re-election in a state the previous president received by 16 factors in 2020, has a protracted historical past of blaming Trump’s reputation on racism.
Tester, a lifelong farmer in Montana, has tried to painting himself as a reasonable in his Senate race in opposition to GOP challenger Tim Sheehy and has typically touted what number of instances he has labored with Trump. Nevertheless, Tester additionally has a protracted observe report of denouncing Trump’s help on account of racism.
“As Trump spoke directly to rural America, most Democrats ignored it. Trump elevated white voters who had struggled for years as their mostly white communities suffered, as jobs and opportunities disappeared, and as businesses boarded up,” Tester wrote in his 2020 guide “Grounded: A Senator’s Lesson on Winning Back Rural America.”
“Trump turned to the old but effective strategy of lifting them up by pushing down others; by stirring up race-based fears and by giving angry and scared white voters permission to distrust other religions, other cultures, and other people. Trump tapped into the deep, gnarly root of racism in rural America. While we can’t uproot it overnight, we can’t ignore it either.”
Sen. Jon Tester arrives for the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Protection listening to on June 18, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photographs)
In the identical guide, Tester claimed {that a} motive individuals stood by Trump it doesn’t matter what was as a result of “racial tension was its undercurrent.”
“Trump brought charisma to the politics of millions of ordinary people, making himself relatable, tough, and believable,” Tester wrote. “That’s why, when his own policies hurt American farmers and manufacturers, they marched in lockstep behind him, even despite their own self-interest. And there’s no denying that racial tension was its undercurrent.”
Tester additionally informed the New York Instances in 2020 that he “can’t figure out” Trump’s enchantment with rural America.
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Tester solid doubt on a current unfavorable ballot of his Montana race. (Reuters)
“There’s no doubt about it, he has an appeal in rural America,” Tester mentioned. “I can’t figure it out, but there’s no denying it. But I will also tell you I think there’s a long-term structural issue. And by the way, I’ve had this conversation with Chuck Schumer several times – that we have to do a better job developing a message so that rural Americans can say, ‘Yeah, those guys, they think like I do.’ Because that’s what Trump has right now.’”
Monica Robinson, a spokesperson for Montanans for Tester, informed Fox Information Digital that Tester “has been ranked one of the most effective and bipartisan senators because he’ll work with anyone to get things done for Montana.”
“No matter who is in the White House, Jon Tester always does what’s right for Montana,” she added. “It’s why Jon has consistently stood up to the Biden administration on many issues – from securing the border to protecting Montana from bureaucratic rules that would hurt rural America – and it’s why President Trump signed more than 20 of his bills into law.”
In an announcement to Fox Information Digital, Nationwide Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Maggie Aboud mentioned, “Jon Tester hates Donald Trump, that’s why he routinely insults Trump’s voters and even called for Trump to be physically assaulted.”
Former President Trump, speaks throughout a rally, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Uniondale, New York. (AP Photograph/Frank Franklin II)
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“Montanans can see right through Two-Faced Tester’s shameless attempts to tie himself to Trump now that he needs his voters.”
Many specialists imagine Montana is one of the best likelihood Republicans need to take again management of the Senate in 2024 and current polling suggests Sheehy has a slight edge.
The Cook dinner Political Report, an unbiased nonpartisan election handicapper, not too long ago shifted the race from “toss-up” to “lean Republican,” whereas Sabato’s Crystal Ball on the College of Virginia’s Heart for Politics moved the race to “leans Republican.”
Fox Information Digital’s Aubrie Spady contributed to this report
