Rep. Greg Gianforte (R) is projected to win reelection to represent Montana’s at-large congressional seat, defeating former Democratic state Rep. Kathleen Williams.
Gianforte was favored in polls heading into Election Day, while President Trump praised the Montana Republican in multiple campaign trips to Big Sky Country.
“We endorsed Greg really early, but I heard that he had body slammed a reporter. And he was way up … and I said, ‘Oh, this is terrible, he’s going to lose the election.’ But then I said, ‘Well wait a minute, I know Montana pretty well, I think it might help him,’ and it did … He’s a great guy and a tough cookie,” Trump said at a campaign rally for the candidate last month. {mosads}
Gianforte made headlines in 2017 when he assaulted a reporter the night before his special election victory.
He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assault and was sentenced to a 180-day deferred jail sentence, 40 hours of community service, 20 hours of anger management and a $300 fine, as well as an $85 court fee. Gianforte went on to win his election by 6 points.