L.U. 44 (catv,lctt,o,rtb,s&u), BUTTE, MT — Spending in the 2018 Montana Senate race was unprecedented. Reportedly, an estimated $43.2 million was spent. Pres. Trump flew Air Force One (approximately $213,000 per hour) to Montana four times, wasting at least $8 million, in his effort to unseat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

The feud started over Trump's nomination of his personal physician, Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Jackson's subsequent withdrawal from consideration when allegations came to light questioning his qualifications. Trump unfairly blamed Sen. Tester and started his attacks. Sen. Tester's work is an example of bipartisanship, reaching out, and working across the aisle on issues. Sen. Tester sponsored 20 bills signed into law by Trump!

Members of IBEW Local 44 worked countless hours, phone banking, letter writing, and walking turf in Silver Bow, Lewis and Clark, Broadwater and Cascade counties. IBEW 44 was a part of an amazing Labor to Labor program, reaching out to union households to support Sen. Tester's bid for re-election.

Montana re-elected Sen. Jon Tester, the state's senior senator, to his third term! His 2018 margin of victory is Sen. Tester's largest so far, defeating Trump's puppet Matt Rosendale by almost 18,000 votes. IBEW State Organizing Coordinator Keith Allen coordinated the effort, and Dwight Rose led at the local level on Local 44's behalf. Hats off to all the members who stepped up to defend a true friend of labor.

Dwight Rose, Mbr. Dev.