Gianforte says he ‘welcomes a debate’ after former firearms exec provides ten years of tax information to the Associated Press
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CONDON, Mont. — After releasing a decade of tax returns to The Associated Press, former firearms executive Ryan Busse plans to meet Greg Gianforte for at least two debates in October as the unpopular governor says he now “welcomes a debate.”
Gianforte made numerous headlines last week for refusing to participate in a Montana Television Network debate scheduled for October 1, and an October 7 debate jointly sponsored by MontanaPBS, Lee Newspapers and Montana/Yellowstone Public radio.
Gianforte told KECI-TV last week that he “wants” to debate, but stipulated that Busse must first release his tax returns. Busse, a private citizen who has never held public office, provided The Associated Press with a decade of tax information from 2014 through 2024.
“If this is the singular reason why Gianforte will not debate, I’m not going to let him have that excuse,” Busse told the AP.
“Greg Gianforte failed Montana again when he tried to move the goalposts for having a debate, because he doesn’t want to have to explain why he raised everyone’s property taxes, but gave himself a property tax cut,” Busse said, referring to the fact that property taxes on one of Gianforte’s Helena mansions got a 7% tax cut in 2023 while virtually single one of his neighbors got a tax increase. “Gianforte doesn’t want to have to explain why he’s so intent on weirdly getting between women and their doctors, or why he’s waged war on Montana’s public lands and wildlife.”
In August the AP reported that Gianforte made a staggering $23 million while holding public office.
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.