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Broadwater Democratic Central Committee Hosts Gubernatorial Candidate
Author: MT 43 News Staff Reporter

Broadwater Democratic Central Committee Hosts Gubernatorial Candidate

MT 43 News Staff Reporter

It was standing room only at Canyon Ferry Brewery Wednesday night, April 24 for people to meet and greet Ryan Busse, a Democratic candidate for governor, and his running mate candidate for lieutenant governor Raph Graybill. The event was hosted by the Broadwater Democratic Central Committee.

Busse, a former firearms executive, told the group that his platform was about righting the wrongs of Republicans sticking property owners with huge spikes in their taxes and their attacks on the Montana constitutional right of people to a clean and healthful environment. He invited local Democrats to start a grassroots movement for his candidacy by encouraging neighbors and friends to support him.

Busse worked for 25 years in the firearms industry and says he directed the sale of several million guns manufactured by Kimber America. He got out of the business in 2020 and since has authored a book and articles critical of gun manufacturers and the National Rifle Association. He supports background checks before gun purchases but opposes bans on assault rifles.

Graybill echoed Busse’s call to be ambassadors for the Busse-Graybill campaign. Graybill worked as the chief legal counsel for former Governor Steve Bullock’s administration. He ran unsuccessfully against Republican Austin Knudsen for State Attorney General in 2020.

Also in attendance were Democrats Bruce Schultz, candidate for the District 39 seat in the Montana senate, and Lenny Williams, Southwest Central Labor Council president from Butte who is running for the District 3 seat on the Public Service Commission.

Busse faces Jim Hunt of Helena in the June 4 primary election while incumbent Republican Governor Greg Gianforte is challenged by Tanner Smithe of Kalispell. Running unopposed for the Libertarian Party gubernatorial nomination is Kaiser Leib of Helena.

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Image 1 Caption: Broadwater Democrats listen to Ryan Busse, candidate for governor Wednesday at the Brewery. MT 43 News Staff Photographer
Image 2 Caption: Democratic candidate for Governor Ryan Busse and his running mate Raph Graybill, candidate of Lieutenant Governor pose with a party member at the meet and greet Wednesday. MT 43 News Staff Photographer