Gianforte Declares Candidacy for Governor in Billings
Bozeman high-tech magnate Greg Gianforte announced his candidacy for governor Wednesday in Billings, pledging to improve the Montana economy and donate his salary to scholarships, if elected.
The announcement, delivered over the cacophony of mechanics at a Peterbilt repair shop in Lockwood, was pointedly aimed at Democratic incumbent Gov. Steve Bullock and the economic challenges of Eastern Montana: crumbling infrastructure, federal regulations on coal power and the out-migration of Montana's young adults.
"We need new leadership in Montana," Gianforte said. "On top of lost jobs, we've got a governor who's failed to deliver on essential infrastructure. In Culbertson, the water bill for a single home is already $1,200 a year. Because of the governor's failed leadership, it's going up 18 percent this year.
"But while the governor has failed to deliver on infrastructure, he's sure grown government spending. He's increased it by 20 percent in just three years. Imagine what he would do with another four?"
It's been 16 years since Montana Republicans have won a gubernatorial election. Those packed into the upper storage mezzanine of the repair shop liked what they were hearing from Gianforte, who zeroed in job creation, his strongest political playing card.
Gianforte founded the software company RightNow Technologies in Bozeman roughly 20 years ago. RightNow software enables governments and companies to answer frequently asked questions online. The company's workforce ballooned to 1,200 before it was sold to Oracle for $1.8 billion in 2012.
Oracle kept those jobs in Bozeman after the purchase. Numerous Bozeman tech startups have stemmed from the sale, as former RightNow employees with shares in the company cashed out and started businesses.
"I think he's just the man that Montana needs," said Roy Brown, a former Montana legislator who ran against incumbent Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer in 2008. "We're 49th in jobs and wages. We can really make a difference with him at the helm. It's always difficult to challenge an incumbent, but the incumbent hasn't done much but make things worse."
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