Candidate slams governor for his record tax increase; calls incumbent an ‘unrepentant liar’ who ‘wants to make medical decisions for women’
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KALISPELL, Mont. – Former firearms exec and candidate for Governor of Montana released the following statement in response to news that Governor Greg Gianforte is running for reelection:
“Billionaire Greg Gianforte is just another typical politician who stuck Montanans with a record tax hike so that he could give tax cuts to the wealthy. But he isn’t just out of touch; he’s dangerous to Montana. Gianforte wants to make medical decisions for women. He thinks he can buy elections and go on vacations when disasters strike. And unless you have millions, he doesn’t give a hoot about you or your rural community, or your public school, or the public land we all own. He’s an unrepentant liar and a threat to our democracy.”
According to Montana Free Press, the average Montana homeowner saw a 21 percent increase in residential property taxes in 2023, while NorthWestern Energy, which recently raised rates, “is paying about $36 million less on its 2023 property tax bill, a 20% decrease from 2022.”
In 2022, Gianforte decided to go jet-setting on vacation in Italy while Montana communities dealt with devastating, record flooding.
And in 2017, Gianforte lied to police officers investigating his infamous assault of a man who asked a question about health care.
QUICK FACTS:
- Pronunciation: Ryan BUSS’-ee
- Home: Kalispell, Mont.
- Office Sought: Governor of Montana
- Affiliation: Democrat
- Website: busseformontana.com
- X (Twitter): @ryandbusse
- DOB: 2/23/70 (53)
- Occupation: Writer, Consultant, Firearms Expert and Former Executive (Vice President of Sales, Kimber America: 1995-2020)
- Family: Married to Sara for 24 years; two sons: Lander (18) and Badge (15)
- Alma Mater: Bethany College (Kansas)
- Chevy Odometer: 280,000 miles
- Hunting Dogs: Aldo and Teddy
- Bio: Ryan Busse is an author and former firearms executive who helped build the gun company Kimber from Kalispell between 1995 and 2020. Over his 25-year career Busse directed the sales of nearly three million Kimber firearms. His memoir, Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America, was published by PublicAffairs (Hachette) in 2021. Busse was born near the Kansas cattle ranch homesteaded by his great-grandfather. He is an avid hunter, angler and champion of public lands, and has held leadership positions with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and Montana Conservation Voters. Busse and his wife Sara live in Kalispell and have two teenage sons.