Biden's debate performance leaves down-ballot Democrats anxious — and quiet

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — President Joe Biden’s unsteady debate performance reverberated among candidates up and down the November ballot on Friday, but nervous Democratic candidates mostly kept their discomfort to themselves or downplayed it, even as gleeful Republicans looked to seize the...

Backers say they have signatures to qualify nonpartisan vote initiatives for fall ballot

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Backers advancing a pair of constitutional initiatives that would overhaul how Montana voters elect state and federal candidates say that they have collected enough signatures to have the measures placed on the November ballot. The first initiative, CI-126,...

Republican challenger to Tester leans into his outsider status in Montana US Senate debate

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy embraced his status as an outsider who came to Montana to start a business as he sought on Sunday to fend off concerns over wealthy newcomers driving up property taxes during the first debate in a contest that could tip the...

Montana US Sen. Jon Tester to face GOP newcomer Tim Sheehy in election key to Senate control

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Three-term incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and Republican newcomer Tim Sheehy cruised to victory in Montana’s primary election Tuesday, setting up a contentious November election that could tip the balance of power in the closely divided U.S. Senate. ...

Jon Tester wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Montana primary election

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the Montana presidential and state primaries

WASHINGTON (AP) — The general election for a race that could determine the Senate majority begins right after Montana voters lock in their nominees in Tuesday’s primaries. The center of the political storm in Montana is the U.S. Senate race, in which Democrat Jon Tester is...

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the final presidential primaries and caucuses of 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — After 146 days, 90 primaries and 17 caucuses in five U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and almost every state (Delaware canceled, remember?), the 2024 presidential primary calendar draws to a close with a handful of primaries on Tuesday and two Democratic caucuses on...

Money isn't enough to smooth the path for Republican candidates hoping to retake the Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Frustrated by the seemingly endless cash flowing to Democrats, Republicans aiming to retake the Senate have rallied around candidates with plenty of their own money. The goal is to neutralize Democrats' roughly 2-to-1 financial advantage, among the few bright...

Montana man gets 2 1/2 years in prison for leaving threatening voicemails for Senator Jon Tester

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Montana man who pleaded guilty to leaving voicemail messages threatening to kill Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and his family was sentenced Wednesday to 2 1/2 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Anthony James Cross, 30, of Billings pleaded...