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Today, Montana Free Press continues a week's worth of election coverage, with Alex Sakariassen's profile of the race between Republican Christi Jacobsen and Democrat Bryce Bennett to succeed Corey Stapleton as Montana's secretary of state. We're also pleased to share the University of Montana's Community News Service profile of the nonpartisan contest between sitting Justice Laurie McKinnon and challenger Mike Black for a seat on the Montana Supreme Court.

And you can check out all the previous stories in our election series below.

There's also a link to MTFP's comprehensive 2020 Election Guide, containing all our stories on the candidates and races, plus a wealth of information on campaign finance, an archive of statewide media coverage of the candidates, and an informative FAQ with everything you need to know about how to vote.

We hope you'll find this coverage useful.

Thanks again for reading, and let us know what you're thinking.

— Brad Tyer, editor

Sparring for secretary of state

Both Christi Jacobsen and Bryce Bennett have repeatedly vowed to defend the integrity of Montana’s elections. That’s where their agreements end. By Alex Sakariassen

Justice and challenger square off in state Supreme Court race

Incumbent Justice Laurie McKinnon and challenger Mike Black make their cases in the nonpartisan race for a seat on the state Supreme Court. By Addie Slanger, Community News Service

The Trump and COVID show

The advertisements have argued endlessly about whether Steve Daines or Steve Bullock has been a better steward of the state’s public lands, who is more beholden to special interests, who walks in blind lockstep with party leadership and which candidate would help gut or save health care. But what is more likely to sway the election in the closing weeks is Trump’s level of support in Montana and the status of the state’s coronavirus outbreak. By Chris Aadland

Drugs, health care and budgets

Montana’s next attorney general will be in the driver’s seat for influential legal fights, addressing the state’s ongoing drug and alcohol use issues and helping local officials handle crime. Depending on the November outcome of the race between Republican Austin Knudsen and Democrat Raph Graybill, the philosophy and priorities of Montana’s next attorney general could be dramatically different. By Mara Silvers

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The statesman and the mogul

You’d be hard-pressed to identify prominent Montanans with more different resumes than Greg Gianforte and Mike Cooney, the two major party candidates vying to be elected Montana’s next governor. By Eric Dietrich

Who has the cure for health care?

While the health care paths of Kathleen Williams and Matt Rosendale would seem to converge at the same distant peak, where adequate health care is accessible and affordable for all Montanans, the candidates' distinct routes are largely defined by the point at which they diverge: the Affordable Care Act. By Alex Sakariassen

Not just weed

Montanans are effectively voting on two changes to state policy via the November ballot's initiatives: whether local governments can pass gun laws, and the legalization of adult-use marijuana. By Hunter Pauli

Six candidates vie for three Public Service Commission seats

Voters in districts around Missoula, Billings and Bozeman will have the chance this fall to select new leadership for the Montana Public Service Commission, the regulatory body at the center of the state’s energy politics, and an agency that has been rocked over the past year by a series of scandals. By Eric Dietrich

MTFP guide: Montana’s 2020 election

What you need to know as the candidates compete for your vote.

Montana coronavirus report

As of Thursday, October 14, Montana reports a cumulative total of 20,933 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 735 new cases since yesterday, 7,849 active cases, and 12,854 patients considered recovered. State officials also report that 959 of the cases have resulted in hospitalizations, with 301 patients currently hospitalized. There have been 230 Montana deaths attributed to the disease.  

And big thanks to the donors who make this work possible. The following people became new or renewing MTFP members during the last seven days.

Major Supporters $500+

Rick and Jane, Helena, MT

Benefactors $100-$499

Chris, Oakland, CA; Claudia, Helena, MT; Daniel, Wilmington, NC; JoAnn, Missoula, MT; Julie, Sonoma, CA; Marjorie, Bozeman, MT; Moffie, Helena, MT; Richard, Charlo, MT; Russell, Greeley, CO; Sharon, Great Falls, MT; Stephen, Missoula, MT; Susan, Missoula, MT; Ted, Darby, MT

Supporters $1-$99

Bryan, Missoula, MT; Chris, San Francisco, CA; Dan, Sammamish, WA; Karl, Bozeman, MT; Leslie, Senoia, GA; Nicholas, Santa Rosa, CA; Rebecca, Bozeman, MT; Ruth, Helena, MT; Stuart, Miles City, MT; Vicki, Missoula, MT