Tester ad brands Rosendale a non-rancher

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester's election staff said Monday it was launching a six-figure digital ad campaign,saying GOP challenger Matt Rosendale “misled” Montanans by claiming to be a rancher — despite allegedly never owning any cattle.

Rosendale, who is now state auditor, bought a $2 million Montana ranch, but he has never reported actually owning any cows and doesn’t have an active livestock brand, Tester’s campaign staff said. They would not release the amount of the advertising campaign, other than to say it was six figures.

The ad is expected to post this week.

However, a spokesman for Rosendale said the candidate leases his land and runs cattle on it. He and wife, Jean, have been living at their Glendive ranch for nearly 20 years.

Rosendale has spent time working the land and helping his neighbors brand and herd cattle, haul crops and rebuild fences, the spokesman said.

“Matt and his neighbors have always been there for each other, and Matt will always be there for the people of Montana as our next U.S. senator,” the spokesman said.

In May, a Talking Points Memo story in May questioned Rosendale's ranching credentials. 

Tester is a Big Sandy farmer, who often uses the farm as a backdrop in his election ads. He is seeking a third term in the Senate.

The ad features three farmers and two ranchers from Power, Chester, Judith Gap, Fort Benton and Eden criticizing Rosendale. 

"He calls himself a rancher," one of the men says. "But he doesn't own any cattle," another chimes in.

“Rosendale can play dress up in his brand-new Carhartt jackets and pose in front of other people’s red barns, but it won’t cover up his record of hurting Montana farmers and ranchers. Rosendale really is ‘all hat, no cattle,’” Christie Roberts, campaign manager for Montanans for Tester, said in an email.

The political battle between Tester and Rosendale has drawn national attention.

On Thursday, President Donald J. Trump spoke to nearly 10,000 people at the Rimrock Auto Arena when he came to Billings to drum up support for Rosendale and GOP Rep. Greg Gianforte for the Nov. 6 election. 

Reach Phil Drake at 406-422-0772 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com.

To know more

To see the ad, go to www.allhatmatt.com.