Montana Governor Gianforte Reports $23 Million Income While Running for Reelection

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana Republican Governor Greg Gianforte has disclosed an income exceeding $23 million over the past four years, primarily from investment profits, as he campaigns for a second term. Tax records released by his campaign reveal that Gianforte, a former technology executive, has maintained a significant financial portfolio since his initial election to Congress in 2017 and subsequent gubernatorial victory in 2020. Challenging Gianforte in the upcoming November election is Democrat Ryan Busse, a former firearms industry executive. Gianforte's financial history includes a $6 million personal investment in his unsuccessful 2016 gubernatorial campaign and over $7.5 million spent to secure his current position against Democrat Mike Cooney. This election cycle, he has contributed approximately $47,000 to his campaign. Gianforte's annual salary as governor is around $120,000, but the bulk of his wealth, reported at over $265 million since 2005, stems from the sale of his company, RightNow Technologies, to Oracle Corp. for $1.8 billion. His spokesperson, Anna Marian Block, emphasized Gianforte's commitment to transparency by releasing his tax returns, a move aimed at reassuring Montana residents about his financial dealings. Despite previous attempts by Democrats and Republican primary opponents to portray Gianforte's wealth as a potential liability in the 2020 election, he remains a formidable candidate. Busse's campaign has not disclosed his own tax returns, adding another layer of intrigue to the race.