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Missoula Current

Bernie Sanders, who won Montana’s 2016 Democratic presidential primary vote, will crisscross Montana in May, campaigning for musician-turned-politician Rob Quist.

Quist is the Democratic candidate for Montana’s open, and sole, seat in the U.S. House. The position was left vacant earlier this year when President Donald Trump named Rep. Ryan Zinke his Interior secretary.

A May 25 election will determine whether Quist or Republican Greg Gianforte is the state’s new congressman. Neither has held political office previously.

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders reacts as he speaks at a rally in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States October 14, 2015. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson - RTS4IJX
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders reacts as he speaks at a rally in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States October 14, 2015. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson - RTS4IJX
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In a press statement Monday morning, Sanders said: “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.

“I look forward to campaigning with him in May and working with him in Congress.”

Quist said he’s thrilled with Sanders’ support. Sanders ultimately lost the Democratic presidential runoff to Hillary Clinton, but remains popular in Montana, one of the state’s he won last year.

“I'm excited that Bernie Sanders recognizes that our grassroots campaign is building momentum and has the best chance in decades to take back Montana's U.S. House seat for the rest of us,” Quist said in a prepared statement.

In announcing the visit, Sanders said support Quist because of his interest in fighting cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and his opposition to tax breaks “for the very rich.”

“Rob is a populist, grassroots candidate fighting for the working families of Montana,” Sanders said.

The Quist campaign said the dates and places of the campaign stops are not yet known, but that Montanans can sign up to find out more details by texting BERNIE to 30644 or by going to http://robquist.org/bernie.

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