After publicly committing to debate Ryan Busse, Governor has not responded to MontanaPBS or MTN Debates
Busse calls on Gianforte to participate in at least two debates
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KALISPELL, Mont. — Governor Greg Gianforte is still dodging two debate invitations by Montana news organizations, despite publicly committing to debate former firearms executive Ryan Busse.
Gianforte, who recently told KECI-TV that he “wants” to debate, has until the end of today to accept a June 5 invitation from MontanaPBS, Lee Newspapers, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio to meet Busse for a debate on October 7. Busse formally accepted that invitation on June 10—more than three months ago.
Gianforte also has not responded to an invitation by the Montana Television Network for a debate on October 1. Busse immediately accepted that invitation too. The Montana Television Network is comprised of all CBS affiliates in Montana.
Busse is calling on Gianforte to participate in at least two debates before October 17. Many Montana voters will receive mail-in ballots on October 11.
Gianforte in August tried to back out of debating Busse altogether, saying Busse must first release tax records. Calling the governor’s bluff, Busse, a private citizen who has never held public office, released ten years of his tax records to The Associated Press. Gianforte then told the AP that he “welcomes” debates.
During an interview on KGEZ’s Good Morning Show Wednesday, Gianforte also said “I think it’s important to make sure as the leader of the state that I’m accessible.” (Gianforte refuses to hold publicly advised meetings with Montanans; Busse has held more than 140 such events over the past year.)
“It’s time to put your money where you mouth is, Governor,” Busse shot back Thursday. “Running down the clock is yet another failure of your leadership. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners in this state are waiting to hear why you raised their property taxes yet gave yourself a tax cut.”
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.