BILLINGS – Across Montana, candidates are hosting rallies and parties as a last-ditch effort to encourage voters to get out before Nov. 5.

On Friday, Democrats held a “Big Sky Victory Get Out The Vote” tour in Billings. The event was headlined by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, who is seeking a fourth term, and Kalispell businessman Ryan Busse, who is challenging incumbent Gov. Greg Gianforte. Also present were Busse’s running mate Raph Graybill, attorney general candidate Ben Alke, superintendent of public instruction candidate Shannon O’Brien and Supreme Court Clerk Erin Ferris-Olsen.

Justin McKinsey, MTN News

Tester told MTN News at the event that it has been a challenging career.

“Because of the money that’s been invested in this election, it’s been crazy. It’s been very difficult, but Montanans are good people and they understand Montana, and I have every faith that the election will go very, very well on Tuesday. Because Montanans want what’s best for Montana, and what’s best for Montana is electing me,” Tester said.

Mack Carmack, MTN News

Busse responded to a question about what has surprised him during his career.

He said: “Well, what has surprised me is how badly affordability is affecting people in the state, how bad the property tax really is. People are in a bad situation because of it. (It) doesn’t “It has to happen. We had a $2.6 billion surplus, and he still raised people’s taxes. That’s wrong, and it really surprised me how wrong people are. “It’s a bad time.”

Republican Tim Sheehy, who is challenging Tester, was in Manhattan on Friday with U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., to encourage voting.

“You have to vote. There are thousands of young men and women buried around the world under small white headstones, from Morocco to Southeast Asia. And they fought for your privilege to vote. We call it a right, but it is a privilege and a blessing. being an American and being able to elect your leaders,” Sheehy told his crowd.

Sheehy left before MTN News could request an interview.

Meanwhile, Gianforte was in Columbus on Friday to honor two teenagers, Grayson Williams and Chancy Segeberg, for their heroic efforts to save a friend’s life after a car accident.