Sanders endorses Montana Dem in special election

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will endorse and campaign for Democratic nominee Rob Quist in Montana’s special election next month, Quist’s campaign confirmed.

Sanders, a progressive stalwart and former Democratic presidential candidate, will campaign with Quist across the state in May.

Quist, a popular local folk musician, will square off against Republican nominee Greg Gianforte, a millionaire who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2016.

This is Sanders’s second endorsement in 2017, after he announced he would back Democrat Tom Perriello for Virginia governor.

“Rob Quist is the only person in this race who understands that we need a government in Washington that works for all Montanans and all Americans and not just the special interests and the billionaire class,” Sanders said in a statement. 

“Rob is a populist, grassroots candidate fighting for the working familiars of Montana. I look forward to campaigning with him in May and working with him in Congress.”

The special election to fill the seat vacated by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will be held May 25.