Cooney, Gianforte stick to party lines in final debate

HELENA — Disagreements between gubernatorial candidates Republican Greg Gianforte and Democrat Mike Cooney were front and center Tuesday during the second and final debate of the race.

The candidates stuck to party lines on key issues, with U.S. Rep. Gianforte accusing Lt. Gov. Cooney of mishandling the economy and trying to limit access to guns. Cooney accused Gianforte of threatening Montanans' access to health care and public lands.

The candidates differed starkly in their views of the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court and the impact her confirmation could have on abortion access in the state.

Gianforte, who is anti-abortion, called President Donald Trump's judicial appointments "remarkable."

Read more: https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/cooney-gianforte-stick-to-party-lines-in-final-debate/article_ea3f5213-2c89-5151-9ad5-635434a3ccbd.html