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Greg Gianforte

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Greg Gianforte
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana's at-large district
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 21, 2017
Preceded byRyan Zinke
Personal details
Born
Gregory Richard Gianforte

(1961-04-17) April 17, 1961 (age 63)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Susan Gianforte
​
(m. 1989)​
Children4
EducationStevens Institute of
Technology (BEng, MS)
WebsiteHouse website

Gregory Richard Gianforte (born April 17, 1961) is a multimillionaire[3] "serial entrepreneur,"[4] engineer, author, and politician serving as Montana's sole, statewide U.S. Representative for its at-large congressional district. On May 25, 2017, he won the special election to fill a vacancy created by a presidential cabinet secretary appointment. Gianforte and his wife founded RightNow Technologies, a customer relationship management software company.[5]

In 2016, he ran for Governor of Montana as the Republican candidate, losing to Democratic incumbent Governor Steve Bullock. On May 25, 2017, he won a special election for Montana's at-large congressional seat.

On June 12, 2017, Gianforte pleaded guilty in court on a charge of misdemeanor assault stemming from his May 24, 2017 election eve attack on The Guardian political reporter Ben Jacobs.[6] He was sentenced to 40 hours of community service, 20 hours of anger management therapy, a 180-day deferred sentence, and a $300 fine along with an $85 court fee.[7][8] As part of his settlement with Jacobs, Gianforte donated $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists, which said it would use the funds to support the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.[9]

Gianforte officially assumed office on June 21, 2017. He was ranked in 2018 as the second wealthiest member of Congress.[10]

Early life and education

Gregory Richard Gianforte[11][12] was born to Frank (1937-2015)[13] and Dale Gianforte (died 2008) in San Diego, California on April 17, 1961.[14] He is of English, Italian, and Scottish descent.[15][16][17] When he was at a young age, the family moved to the suburbs of Philadelphia, and he graduated from Upper Merion Area High School in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania in 1979.[18] He obtained a B.E. in electrical engineering and an MSc in computer science from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1983.[19]

Career in software

Gianforte speaking in 2006

Gianforte co-founded Brightwork Development Inc., a software company, in 1986; he and his partners sold the company to McAfee Associates for $10 million in 1994.[20] He then moved to Bozeman, Montana.[18]

Gianforte founded RightNow Technologies in 1997. The company went public in 2004 and was sold to Oracle Corporation for $1.5 billion in 2011.[21] Before the sale, RightNow Technologies employed about 500 people at its headquarters in Bozeman, Montana, and over 1000 people in total.[22]

2016 Montana gubernatorial election

Main article: Montana gubernatorial election, 2016
Gianforte/Robinson campaign sign outside the Hill County Republican Party headquarters in Havre

On January 20, 2016, Gianforte announced his candidacy for the Republican Party's nomination for governor of Montana in the 2016 election.[23] He had a political practices complaint filed alleging he started campaigning before registering.[24][25] The complaint was dismissed.[26]

In a campaign speech that year, Gianforte stated that he had been involved in discussions with Facebook about bringing a new call center to Montana, but that Facebook had declined because of that state's business equipment tax.[27] A Facebook spokesman disputed Gianforte's claims, saying that no discussions with Gianforte took place and that the tax was not the reason the company decided not to locate a call center in Montana. Gianforte stood by his statement saying that he had spoken with a Facebook executive the previous fall.[28]

Steve Bullock, the incumbent Democratic governor, defeated Gianforte in the November general election, 50%–46%.[29]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2017 special election

Main article: Montana's at-large congressional district special election, 2017

On March 1, 2017, Republican U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana's at-large congressional district resigned his seat following his confirmation by the United States Senate as United States Secretary of the Interior. Governor Bullock set a special election to finish Zinke's term for May 25 that same day.[30] Gianforte had already announced his intention to seek the seat on January 25, prior to Zinke's confirmation and subsequent resignation.[31] At a March 6 convention, the Republican Party selected Gianforte as their nominee. He faced Democratic musician and former Montana Arts Council member Rob Quist, as well as Libertarian nominee Mark Wicks, in the general election.[32]

His campaign was supported by Vice President Mike Pence and Donald Trump Jr., who both stumped for Gianforte in the state.[33][34][35] According to the New York Times, Gianforte has in the 2017 race for Montana's at-large congressional district "hewed particularly close to the president's narrative: He promotes his outsider status (he has never held office) and his business acumen (his software empire, RightNow Technologies, started in a basement), and takes aim at sanctuary states and "the liberal elite" whenever he can."[36]

Assault of journalist

File:Greg Gianforte, jail booking mugshot photograph.jpg
Greg Gianforte's jail booking mugshot taken 93 days after his act of assault, on Friday, August 25, 2017 upon being booked and fingerprinted at the Gallatin County Montana Detention Center.

On May 24, 2017, the day before the U.S. House special election, Ben Jacobs, a political reporter for The Guardian newspaper who was covering the election, reported to the Gallatin County, Montana Sheriff's Office that Gianforte assaulted him at Gianforte's Bozeman campaign office after Jacobs asked him a question concerning health care policy.[37][38][39][40][41] Jacobs said that Gianforte "bodyslammed" him to the floor and broke the reporter's glasses.[38][39][40] In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Gianforte made misleading statements to a Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant who reported to Gianforte’s campaign office to investigate Jacobs' assault complaint.[42] On the evening of the incident, Gianforte further remarked to the investigating Sheriff's Sergeant: "the liberal media is trying to make a story."[43][44]

The Gianforte campaign was initially unapologetic, falsely blaming the reporter in a press release in the hours after the assault,[45][46] and disputed the allegations, saying that Jacobs grabbed Gianforte's wrist, causing them both to fall to the ground.[47] However, an audio recording of the incident appeared to support Jacobs's statement,[48][38] and other reporters who were present at the scene corroborated Jacobs' version of events.[49]

An eyewitness to the attack, Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna, testified that "Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground," then "began punching the man" and "yelling something to the effect of 'I'm sick and tired of this!'" Acuna remarked: "at no point did any of us who witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physical aggression toward Gianforte, who left the area after giving statements to local sheriff’s deputies.”[50] Jacobs was hospitalized following the attack.[48]

Gianforte was cited for misdemeanor assault by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, and was ordered to appear in court regarding his actions.[51][52] 93 days after his his assault, on Friday August 25th, 2017, Gianforte was briefly booked into jail, fingerprinted, and had his official jail "mugshot" photograph taken, but only after being compelled to do so by court order following a quiet struggle by his legal team to avoid that process.[53][54][55] On Wednesday October 10th, 2017, Giantforte's jail mugshot was released publicly by a Gallatin County Court order.[56]

Three of Montana's largest newspapers, including the Billings Gazette, the largest in the state, the Missoulian and the Independent Record, all rescinded their endorsements of Gianforte in the wake of the incident.[57][58][59][60] Speaker Paul Ryan and other members of Congress urged Gianforte to apologize.[61]

Gianforte won the special election on May 25. During his acceptance speech that evening, he apologized to Jacobs and the Fox News crew for his assault.[62] On June 7 Gianforte made a written apology to Jacobs and donated US$50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists, which accepted the funds because it was part of the settlement and said it would put them towards the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.[9] In return, Jacobs agreed to not pursue a civil claim against Gianforte.[63]

On June 12, 2017, when Gianforte pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault of Jacobs in Gallatin County District Court, Gianforte said Jacobs "did not initiate any physical contact with me." He also wrote a letter to Jacobs saying the reporter did not start the physical altercation.[45] Gianforte was originally sentenced to four days in jail, to be completed in part through a work program. However, he was ineligible for the work program due to the assault conviction. The judge then switched the sentence to 40 hours of community service, 20 hours of anger management, 180-day deferred sentence, and a $300 fine along with an $85 court fee.[7][8]

During the court hearing Jacobs said that he hoped to interview Gianforte in the future, as he was trying to do at the time of the assault. Gianforte said in court to Jacobs "I am sorry, and if and when you are ready, I look forward to sitting down with you in D.C." However, Gianforte later reneged on his courtroom offer to sit down with Jacobs for an interview.[64][65]

On October 18, 2018, during a rally in Missoula, Montana, US President Donald Trump praised Gianforte for assaulting Jacobs.[66][67][68] While verbally recognizing Gianforte’s capacity to effect a body slam, Trump made gestures with his arms and hands to pantomime a fighting maneuver.[69] According to analysts, the incident marks the first time the President has "openly and directly praised a violent act against a journalist on American soil".[70] The UK Prime Minister Theresa May, commenting about the incident, stated that "any violence or intimidation against a journalist is completely unacceptable".[71] PEN America Center, a nonprofit writer organization defending freedom of expression, condemned Trump's explicit praise for Gianforte's assault.[72] During an event in Scottsdale, Arizona the following day, President Donald Trump dismissed this criticism, saying he does not regret praising Gianforte.[73] Since the October, 2018 political rally when Trump recognized Gianforte’s commission of assault, Gianforte has been criticized by one of his constituents for not refuting nor denouncing Trump’s recognition and praise of his attack on Jacobs.[74]

Gianforte's assault on the journalist has gained poltical notoriety; during an October 2018 campaign event with then Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, U.S. Representative Jody Hice implored the small crowd gathered to oppose the resurgence of Democratic candidates in the 2018 mid term elections. Hice declared that: "it's time for this so called blue wave to be body slammed!" [75]

In the months since the assault, through his attorney, Jacobs has accused Gianforte of white-whashing his factual guilt of the assault, twice sending cease and desist letters warning Gianforte not to lie about his culpability in the assault.[76] Gianforte met with the Missoulian newspaper editorial board in October 2018, and, when asked about the assault, he maintained that his original false statement to sheriff’s deputies in the immediate aftermath of the incident was his best recollection of events; a statement that Gianforte later contradicted under oath in court with an admission of guilt connected to his guilty plea.[77][78]

2018 general election

Gianforte's incumbency is opposed in 2018 by Montana’s nominated Democratic Party candidate Kathleen Williams, an environmental scientist from Bozeman, as well as by Libertarian Party candidate Elinor Swanson, a lawyer from Billings.[79]

Polling data in the weeks leading up to election shows Gianforte and Williams in a close contest within the margins of error.[80][81]

Giantforte's Democratic opponent, Kathleen Williams has criticized Gianforte for introducing a bill to remove federal protections from several wilderness study areas in Montana without holding any public meetings on the issue.[82]

Tenure

Gianforte was sworn into the U.S. House on June 21, 2017.[83] At his inauguration ceremony, Gianforte announced his support for congressional term limits, barring members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, and holding back congressional pay if no budget is passed – it is unusual for members of Congress to announce such support for legislation in their inauguration.[84] Montana Democrats mailed Gianforte an orange prison jumpsuit on the day of his inauguration.[85][86]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Abortion

Gianforte opposes abortion.[88][89] He believes that abortion should be prohibited except when the woman's life is in danger.[90] Gianforte favors removing federal funds from Planned Parenthood.[90]

The Gianforte Family Foundation was founded to pursue Gianforte's creationist beliefs in the public sphere and to "protect the unborn." The foundation has been a part of anti-abortion campaigns.[91]

Aging and retirement

Gianforte has outlined his position on retirement by using the Biblical example of Noah. He said:

There's nothing in the Bible that talks about retirement. And yet it's been an accepted concept in our culture today. Nowhere does it say, 'Well, he was a good and faithful servant, so he went to the beach ... The example I think of is Noah. How old was Noah when he built the ark? 600. He wasn't like, cashing Social Security checks, he wasn't hanging out, he was working. So, I think we have an obligation to work. The role we have in work may change over time, but the concept of retirement is not biblical.[92][93][94][95]

Agriculture

Giantforte has stressed the importance of open and free trade agreements for Montana farms.[96]

Creationism

Gianforte believes in Young Earth creationism[97] and has expressed support for the pseudoscientific view despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary.[98] He has donated at least $290K in cash to the Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum, a Montana creationist museum which teaches visitors that evolution is false, the Earth is about 6,000-6,400 years old, that dinosaurs were on the Ark and that they likely died out 4,300 years ago during the flood described in the Book of Genesis, and which is regarded as wholly deceptive and fictional, with noted palaeontologist Jack Horner calling it "not a museum at all".[99][100][101][102] The Gianforte Family Foundation also donated a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton replica to the Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum in Glendive, Montana.[103]

Donald Trump

Gianforte distanced himself from Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican primary and did not attend his one rally in Montana, citing a scheduling conflict.[104][105] However, he endorsed Trump in the 2016 general election and continued to express support for him during his House campaign.[106][107][108] Gianforte has supported Trump's 2017 hiring freeze,[109] his decision to fire FBI Director James Comey,[110] and Executive Order 13769, which temporarily banned immigration from seven Middle Eastern and predominantly Muslim countries.[111]

Environment and public lands

Gianforte opposes the sale or transfer of federal land. He has called for changes to the Endangered Species Act.[109] Gianforte has also called for changes to the federal Equal Access to Justice Act to reduce environmental litigation, asserting that the act has been abused by "environmental extremists."[109]

In an April 2017 interview, Gianforte acknowledged human-caused climate change but "did not have specific ideas on how to address climate change."[109] In another April 2017 interview, however, he said that "the climate is always changing," and stated that closing coal-fired power plants would not help mitigate climate change.[112] He supported Trump's repeal of the Clean Power Plan introduced by the Obama administration.[113]

Management of public lands was a point of contention in both Gianforte's 2016 campaign for governor[114] and Gianforte's campaign for Congress.[115] In 2009, Gianforte's LLC filed a lawsuit against the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks about the boundaries of an easement for public access to the East Gallatin River.[116] Gianforte's suit against the state became an issue in the 2016 campaign with Gianforte's critics characterizing it as a wealthy out-of-stater's effort to block public access to a popular stream.[114][116][109] Gianforte "has consistently denied the allegations and called the issue a misunderstanding, noting the suit was never served." In any case, the matter was settled.[114] In his 2017 campaign for Congress, Gianforte's campaign spokesperson stated that Gianforte believes that "public lands need to stay in public hands and he opposes efforts to transfer federal lands to the states."[115]

He has called for investments in clean coal technology.[112] Gianforte has criticized the length of time the Department of Interior spends to evaluate applications to drill and frack for shale gas.[117]

Healthcare

Gianforte supports repeal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).[118] He has declined to say whether he supports the American Health Care Act, the House Republican legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.[119] That same day, Gianforte held a private conference call with Republican-leaning lobbyists in Washington D.C. where he offered a more supportive view of the American Health Care Act.[119][120] He said that it "sounds like we just passed a health care thing, which I'm thankful for, sounds like we're starting to repeal and replace."[119] Later that May, he said he would not "vote for a repeal and a replace unless I know it protects people with pre-existing conditions, lowers rates and preserves rural access".[121]

The incident where Gianforte assaulted a reporter was in response to questions about how the AHCA would make health insurance too expensive for people with pre-existing conditions.[122]

Immigration

Gianforte opposes sanctuary cities[36] and resettlement of refugees in Montana.[123]

LGBT rights

Gianforte opposes same-sex marriage,[88] and has stated that he supports government enforcement of nondiscrimination for workers, but not for customers.[124][125]

Gianforte has donated to the Family Research Council; Focus on the Family, which advocates for a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage; and the Montana Family Foundation, which is "the state's primary advocate against LGBT policies".[125]

Marijuana

Gianforte opposes the legalization of marijuana for recreational use, comparing marijuana to more addictive drugs.[126] He supports allowing the use of medical marijuana to "people in chronic pain, under the care of a doctor."[90]

Minimum wage

Gianforte opposes increases in the minimum wage, asserting "Legislating higher wages actually reduces employment opportunities for people."[127]

Russia

Gianforte has blamed the Obama administration for "the situation with Russia" and has stated that: "The US and our allies need to work together on a long-term strategy to stand against Russian aggression in the region and to ensure the sovereignty of our allies is protected."[128]

Tax policy

Gianforte has touted refundable tax credits for low income parents as an achievement of his party caucus in Congress.[129]

Financial interests

Russian investments

In financial disclosure forms filed in 2017, Gianforte indicated that he owned $150,000 worth of shares in VanEck Vectors Russia ETF and $92,400 in the IShares MSCF Russia ETF, totalling just under $250,000 in two exchange-traded funds focused on investments in Russia.[128] The investments attracted attention because they included shares in Gazprom and Rosneft, which are subject to U.S. sanctions imposed after the Russian invasion of Crimea; however, because the per-person ownership stake in these companies is so small in such index funds, they are exempt from sanctions.[128] After the issue was raised in Gianforte's 2017 congressional campaign, Gianforte stated that his Russia holdings were a small portion of his overall investments and pledged to place all of his assets in a blind trust if elected.[128][130]

FICO

Gianforte currently sits on the board of FICO, a consumer credit score company, an appointment he assumed in November, 2013.[131] The same month, Gianforte acquired 8,000 shares of FICO, which were then valued at more than $464,000.00[132]

Grain subsidies

Gianforte is a partner in MGRR No. 1, a limited liability company that has received grain subsidies since 1995.[133]

Gianforte Family Foundation and Charitable Trust

In 2004, Gianforte and his wife founded the Gianforte Family Foundation, which has made tens of millions of dollars in charitable contributions[134][135] and describes as its primary mission to "support the work of faith-based organizations engaged in outreach work, strengthening families, and helping the needy; organizations in Montana that work to improve education, support entrepreneurship, and create jobs; and organizations that enhance the local community of Bozeman, Montana."[136] He, his wife, and his son are the foundation's three board members.[136] The foundation had assets of $113 million in 2013.[135]

The Gianforte Family Foundation has given nearly $900,000 to the Montana Family Foundation, in some years making up half of the total donations to the Montana Family Foundation. The Montana Family Foundation has promoted conservative and Christian values in the Montana legislature. Asked why he donated to the group, Gianforte said it was because the organization aligns with his views.[137] The Gianforte Family Foundation funded a museum based on the creationist belief that humans and dinosaurs coexisted during the same period of history.[138]

Through his nonprofit, the Gianforte Family Charitable Trust, Gianforte has contributed substantial funding to several conservative organizations leading legal efforts to dismantle federal campaign finance regulations.[139]

Honors

Gianforte received an honorary doctorate from Stevens Institute of Technology and gave the commencement speech in 2012.[140]

In 2007, Gianforte was awarded an honorary doctorate from Montana State University's College of Engineering.[141][11]

In 2007, Gianforte was inducted into the CRM Hall of Fame.[142] Gianforte received the 2003 Stevens Institute of Technology's Stevens Honor Award.[143]

Gianforte was named Pacific Northwest Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2003.[144]

Personal life

Greg and Susan Gianforte married in 1989.[145] They live in Bozeman, Montana and have four children.[146]

They attend Grace Bible Church, a nondenominational church in Bozeman. Gianforte is a donor to several Christian and conservative groups.[147][148]

Electoral History

Montana's at-large congressional district special election, 2017[149]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Greg Gianforte 189,473 50.19% −6.00
Democratic Rob Quist 166,483 44.11% +3.46
Libertarian Mark L. Wicks 21,509 5.70% +2.44
Majority 22,990 6.10% −7.54%
Turnout 377,465 54.22% −20.22%
Republican hold Swing
Montana gubernatorial election, 2016[150]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Steve Bullock (Incumbent) 255,933 50.25 +1.35%
Republican Greg Gianforte 236,115 46.36 −0.98%
Libertarian Ted Dunlap 17,312 3.39 −0.37%
Plurality 19,818 3.89 +2.33%
Turnout 516,901 74.44
Total votes 509,360 100%
Democratic hold Swing

References

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  77. ^ Pogreba, Don (October 22, 2018). "Greg Gianforte is Unbelievably Still Lying About the Night He Assaulted Ben Jacobs". Missoulian Newspaper. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
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  85. ^ Shelbourne, Mallory (June 21, 2017). "Montana Dems Send Orange Jumpsuit for Gianforte's First Day in Congress". The Hill. Retrieved June 22, 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  86. ^ Chasmar, Jessica (June 21, 2017). "Montana Democrats Mail Orange Jumpsuit to Greg Gianforte". The Washington Times. Retrieved June 22, 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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  88. ^ a b Mike Dennison (October 27, 2016). "MT gov's race features big difference on social issues – but Gianforte says it's not that relevant". MNT News (KTVH).
  89. ^ Project, Campus Election Engagement (October 25, 2016). "Steve Bullock vs. Greg Gianforte: Nonpartisan Candidate Guide For 2016 Montana Governor's Race". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  90. ^ a b c Holly K. Michels, Gianforte supports defunding Planned Parenthood; Quist approves of legalizing recreational marijuana, Missoulian (April 29, 2017).
  91. ^ "Greg Gianforte on Abortion". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  92. ^ "Greg Gianforte on Social Security". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
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  94. ^ "The Montana Republican running in the special election doesn't believe in retirement because Noah was still working when he was 600". April 21, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  95. ^ Lachman, Samantha (June 9, 2015). "Noah From The Bible Didn't Retire, So This Likely GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Doesn't See Why You Should". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  96. ^ "FARMBILLFRIDAY Rep. Greg Gianforte (MT-AL)". United States House Committee on Agriculture. July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  97. ^ ""Scientific" Creationism as a Pseudoscience - NCSE". ncse.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  98. ^ Burns, Alexander (May 25, 2017). "Who Is Greg Gianforte?". Retrieved May 30, 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  99. ^ http://billingsgazette.com/news/features/magazine/dinosaur-museum-presents-biblical-view-of-origins/article_1c9ac218-bab0-11de-84f1-001cc4c002e0.html
  100. ^ Bruggeman, Karyn (April 13, 2015). "Billionaire Tech CEO Laying Groundwork for Montana Gubernatorial Run". The Atlantic.
  101. ^ Kristen Inbody (April 28, 2016). "Dinosaurs, the Bible and a Glendive museum". Great Falls Tribune.
  102. ^ Healy, Donna (October 18, 2009). "Dinosaur museum presents biblical view of origins: A faith-based Creation". Billings Gazette. ISSN 2372-868X. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  103. ^ Staff, DONNA HEALY Of The Gazette. "Dinosaur museum presents biblical view of origins". Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  104. ^ Riccardi, Matt Volz and Nicholas. "Montana Republican goes from wary Trump backer to all-in ahead of election". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  105. ^ Lutey, Tom. "Republicans who didn't support Trump in early 2016 now are all in". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  106. ^ McConnaha, Michelle. "GOP candidates discuss issues, support Trump". Ravalli Republic. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  107. ^ Volz, Matt; Riccardi, Nicholas (May 20, 2017). "Greg Gianforte Goes from Wary Trump Backer to All-In". Billings Gazette. Retrieved May 20, 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  108. ^ News, N. B. C. (May 20, 2017). "Montana Republican goes from wary Trump backer to all-in". NBC News. Retrieved May 25, 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  109. ^ a b c d e Tim Kuglin, Gianforte: 'I believe we can develop natural resources and protect the environment', Helena Independent Record (April 28, 2017).
  110. ^ CNN, Eric Bradner. "Republicans on ballots stick with Trump on Comey firing". CNN. Retrieved May 14, 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  111. ^ News, A. B. C. (May 23, 2017). "What to know about Montana's special election". ABC News. Retrieved May 23, 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  112. ^ a b Lutey, Tom. "Quist, Gianforte support coal, but differ on policy". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  113. ^ Lutey, Tom. "Trump's repeal of Clean Power Plan gets mixed Montana reception". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  114. ^ a b c Jayme Fraser, Bullock, Gianforte spar over access to public lands, Missourian (July 22, 2016).
  115. ^ a b Mikenzie Frost, Records show Quist, Gianforte have different hunting and fishing history, KTVH (April 26, 2017).
  116. ^ a b Hayme Fraser & Holly Michels, Governor candidate Gianforte sued state in 2009 over access to river, Billings Gazette (May 10, 2016).
  117. ^ Lutey, Tom (October 29, 2018). "Gianforte, Williams differ sharply on public land policy". Billings Gazette. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  118. ^ Holly K. Michels. "Gianforte, Quist both say current bill to replace Obamacare needs work". Missoulian. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  119. ^ a b c Martin, Jonathan (May 5, 2017). "G.O.P. House Candidate in Montana Is Caught on Tape Praising Health Bill". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  120. ^ "Montana Democrat closes with health-care message in closely watched congressional race". Washington Post. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  121. ^ Wadley, Will (May 23, 2017). "Gianforte draws on business, campaign experience ahead of special election". KECI. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  122. ^ "Republican Gianforte Wins Montana House Race Amid Assault Charge". NPR.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  123. ^ OnTheIssues.org. "Greg Gianforte on the Issues". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  124. ^ Lutey, Tom. "Gianforte clarifies stance on protection of LGBT rights". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  125. ^ a b Dominic Holden. "Republican Frontrunner For Montana Governor Has An Extreme Anti-LGBT Past". BuzzFeed. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  126. ^ Fang, Marina (April 30, 2017). "Montana Democratic Candidate Affirms Support For Legalizing Marijuana". Huffington Post. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
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  128. ^ a b c d Ben Jacobs, GOP candidate has financial ties to US-sanctioned Russian companies, The Guardian (April 28, 2017).
  129. ^ Gianforte, Greg. "Keeping more of what you earn=Jan 2, 2018". The Missoulian Newspaper. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  130. ^ Bobby Caina Calvan, Investments in Russia become focus in congressional race, Associated Press (April 30, 2017).
  131. ^ "FICO Announces Greg Gianforte Joins Board of Directors". FICO.com press release. November 13, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  132. ^ "Top Buys by Directors: Gianforte's $464K Bet on FICO". Forbes Magazine. November 25, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  133. ^ Lutey, Tom (December 9, 2017). "Tester and Gianforte among 33 members of Congress who got farm subsidies in the past 21 years". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  134. ^ Associated Press. "Gianforte releases tax returns showing income of $220 million over 10 years." Billings Gazette. March 1, 2016. Billingsgazettecom. Date Retrieved April 2, 2016
  135. ^ a b Viebeck, Elise (May 25, 2017). "Gianforte has a history of controversial views and hostile comments to journalists". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  136. ^ a b "About Us". gianfortefoundation.org. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  137. ^ Michels, HOLLY. "Greg Gianforte is significant backer of Montana foundation that promotes conservative values". missoulian.com. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  138. ^ Walsh, Meghan (January 13, 2016). "Can Greg Gianforte Save Montana From Poverty?". Billings Gazette. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  139. ^ Beachum, Laeteshia (November 15, 2017). "How slamming campaign finance laws helped Greg Gianforte get elected". The Center For Public Integrity. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  140. ^ "Greg Gianforte and Jeong Kim Announced as Stevens Institute of Technology's 2012 Commencement Speakers". prweb.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  141. ^ Schmidt, Carol (April 3, 2007). "Four to receive MSU honorary doctorate degrees". MSU News Service. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  142. ^ magazine, the Editors of CRM (September 1, 2007). "The 2007 Market Awards: Hall of Fame". destinationcrm.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  143. ^ Stevens Institute of Technology's Stevens Honor Award Archived September 6, 2004, at the Wayback Machine
  144. ^ "Ernst & Young Names RightNow Founder Greg Gianforte Pacific Northwest Entrepreneur of the Year; Innovation, Outstanding Business Performance, and Personal Commitment Cited in Software Category Award Presentation. - Free Online Library". thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  145. ^ "About Greg". GregforMontana.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  146. ^ "About Greg". gregformontana.com. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  147. ^ Fraser, Jayme (March 27, 2016). "Gianforte's charitable giving reveals social conservatism not discussed in campaign". helenair.com. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  148. ^ Noon, Alison (December 29, 2015). "Religion Central to Gianforte's Life, But Not His Campaign". Flathead Beacon. Retrieved September 29, 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  149. ^ "2017 Special Election (unofficial results)". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  150. ^ "2016 General Election". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Montana
2016 		Most recent
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana's at-large congressional district
2017–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
420th 		Succeeded by
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