In a press release, the MCV Action fund, an independent Political Action Committee aligned with the liberal environmental activist group Montana Conservation Voters, proclaimed its formal endorsement of Democrat Ryan Busse in his gubernatorial bid for Montana.
Democrat political staffer Jill Lombardi, the chair of the MCV PAC board, praised Busse, saying, “Ryan Busse has long been an outspoken advocate for Montana’s public lands and waters, responsible wildlife management, and responsible energy development.” Lombardi did not list any specific issue or project that Busse has participated in.
Busse, who announced his candidacy in September, seems to revel in his role as the critic-in-chief of Montana’s popular incumbent Governor, Greg Gianforte. With a self-righteous tone, Busse pledged to do “everything he can” to protect and expand access to public lands and waters, framing himself as the defender of the Last Best Place.
Busse declared, “America’s very democracy are under attack by Montana’s current disaster of a governor.” He accused Gianforte of having a “dangerous agenda” and criticized him for supposedly turning the state into a playground for billionaires.
According to the latest data from national polling firm, Morning Consult, Gianforte enjoys a 57% approval rating from Montana voters.
Busse’s connection with MCV runs deep, having served on its Board of Directors and even chairing it for a time. His self-proclaimed status as a nationally recognized champion of public lands includes having his children serve as plaintiffs in a political lawsuit aimed at blocking natural resource and energy development projects in Montana.
Also in the press release, MCV noted that it intends to endorse other so-called “conservation champions” in races from the state legislature to the supreme court.