RGA Launches First TV And Radio Ads In Montana Governor’s Race

WASHINGTON, D.C. – RGA Right Direction PAC, an organization affiliated with the Republican Governors Association (RGA) today released its first television and radio ads of the 2020 Montana gubernatorial election, highlighting Democratic Lt. Governor Mike Cooney’s decades of collecting a paycheck from the taxpayers while raising taxes and fees on hardworking Montanans.

The ads, titled “Enough,” spotlight Cooney’s 44 years as a political insider – since the Jimmy Carter administration – during which he’s collected over $1 million in salary funded by Montana taxpayers, while raising taxes and fees by more than $100 million.

Cooney’s numerous actions to make Montana more expensive for working families include 2005 votes to increase car registration and other auto-related fees by over $10 million, increase hunting and fishing license fees by $4.1 million, extend the “hospital tax” to raise $25.5 million, and a bill known as the “water tax” that increased costs for over 110,000 water right holders in the state. Democratic Senator Jon Tester – then Montana Senate President – made it clear that whatever Cooney and his fellow legislators wanted to call their actions, the net result was a higher cost of living for Montanans. The Associated Press quoted Tester in 2005 saying: “’Fees and taxes are the same…They come out of a person’s pocket.’”

The 30-second television ad began running on July 6 on statewide broadcast and cable networks. A corresponding 60-second radio ad contrasting Cooney’s record of raising taxes and fees with Montana businessman Greg Gianforte’s record of creating high wage jobs will air on radio stations across the state. Click here to listen to the radio ad.

“Montana taxpayers have paid Mike Cooney over $1 million and gotten higher taxes and fees on everything from their cars to their water in return,” said RGA Communications Director Amelia Chassé Alcivar. “After four decades in government, it’s no wonder Mike Cooney has completely lost touch with the real-world impact his tax-and-spend policies have on working Montana families and small businesses. 44 years is enough.”

Script for “Enough” (TV):

For forty-four years, Mike Cooney’s been running for office.

A political insider since Jimmy Carter was President.

While Cooney has made over a million dollars off Montana taxpayers,

He’s raised taxes and fees – over $100 million dollars worth.

Higher Cooney taxes and fees on cars, land, hunting, fishing, hospitals – even water.

Tax-raising, lifelong political insider Mike Cooney. 

Forty-four years is enough.

RGA Right Direction PAC is responsible for the content of this advertising.

Script for “Enough” (Radio):

Lifelong political insider Mike Cooney, has been running for office for forty four years.

Since Jimmy Carter was President.

While Mike Cooney has made over a million dollars off Montana taxpayers,

He’s raised taxes and fees over a hundred million dollars.

That’s higher Cooney taxes and fees on cars… land… hunting… fishing… hospitals… even water.

Mike Cooney. Forty four years of being a political insider and raising taxes and fees on Montanans is enough.

Montana has a better choice: Greg Gianforte.

Greg Gianforte, a successful businessman, who built a company and created good, high paying jobs right here.

Greg knows that to get Montana working again we need to make government more efficient, create good paying jobs here for our kids, and protect our way of life.

Greg Gianforte for Governor.