Montana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse has released 10 years of income tax records in an effort to push Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte into debating him ahead of the November election. Gianforte had previously dismissed Busse as not a serious candidate and indicated that he would not debate him until Busse released his tax returns. With the election just over two months away, Busse’s campaign is working to gain traction in a state that typically leans Republican and where Gianforte won by a significant margin in 2020. Busse’s tax records show he and his wife earned about $260,000 annually over the past decade, primarily from positions in the firearms industry and a public relations firm.
In response to Busse releasing his tax records, Gianforte’s campaign manager Jake Eaton stated that the governor welcomed Busse to join him in being transparent and indicated that a debate could now be a possibility. Previously, Eaton had suggested that Gianforte was prepared to debate a credible candidate, implying that Busse was not considered one. However, now that Busse has released his tax returns, the opportunity for a debate has opened up. Gianforte made it clear that he believes a serious candidate should release their tax returns, and now that Busse has done so, discussions about scheduling a debate can proceed.
Ryan Busse, a former gun company executive, decided to leave the firearms industry after becoming uncomfortable with the aggressive marketing of military-style assault rifles. His decision to release his tax returns was prompted by claims from Gianforte’s campaign that he was not being transparent. Prior to 2020, Busse’s main source of income was from firearms company Kimber Manufacturing, where he served as vice president. In recent years, he and his wife have earned most of their income from Aspen Communications, a public relations firm. Despite initially declining to release his tax returns for privacy reasons, Busse maintains that he has nothing to hide and reconsidered his decision in response to criticism.
Greg Gianforte, who became wealthy through the sale of his software company in 2011, has primarily earned income from investments over the past decade, averaging over $6 million annually. As Montana’s governor, he is paid about $120,000 per year. Gianforte has invested significant personal funds in his political campaigns, spending millions in both his unsuccessful 2016 bid for governor and his successful 2020 campaign. While Busse outraised Gianforte in the most recent financial reporting period, the incumbent still maintains a significant cash advantage heading into the November election, with $746,000 in cash on hand compared to Busse’s $234,000. The release of Busse’s tax records has opened up the possibility of a debated between the two candidates as the election draws near.
