Rick Breckenridge, center, Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate, withdrew from the race Wednesday and endorsed Republican candidate Matt Rosendale, left. His move was prompted by a campaign mailer, seen above, that was apparently illegally mailed to voters in Montana. (Courtesy images)
Originally published for the 11/2/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News.
HUNTLEY — Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Rick Breckenridge ended his campaign and endorsed Republican Matt Rosendale on Wednesday, citing an illegal campaign mailer that promoted his “conservative” values.
In a telephone conference call with Montana reporters, Breckenridge said he may receive only 3 to 4 percent of the vote next week, and leaving the race may allow his voters to support Rosendale instead. He said Rosendale could fight illegal campaign contributions and help preserve Montanans’ liberties.
In Yellowstone County, elections administrator Bret Rutherford said anyone who has already voted would not be able to submit a new ballot, even if one candidate had left the Senate race.
“If we have your ballot and it’s checked in, its just the same as it being in the ballot box,” he said Wednesday afternoon.
The Wednesday morning call was originally announced as a discussion of “illegal campaigning by unnamed parties that are trying to influence voters in Montana.”
The speakers did not read more
