Missoula News

Election '08

Montana: Presidential Race Tight in Early Returns

By Jonathan Weber , 11-04-08

9:55 - The head of the GOP in Yellowstone County was subdued in a telephone interview, saying "the absentee votes were heavily Democratic across the aboard," and that races he thought his party would win are closer than expected.

9:32 - In statewide races, Governor Brian Schweitzer, Senator Max Baucus and Rep. Denny Rehberg are all winning by wide margings, as expected. More interestingly, early returns are suggesting some strong Obama coattails in the competitive races for Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Auditor.

8:54 - In Choteau County, in central Montana, McCain won by about 10% - compared with Bush's 33% margin in 2004. Missoula County just reported its early voting, and gave Obama a 6,000 vote margin. The big lead in the liberal University town is not a surprise, but politicos say the margin is even bigger than expected and bodes well for Obama.

8:45 - In Rosebud County, a tiny county in Eastern Montana that has now reported 100% of its votes, McCain won by just .6% - compared with Bush's 13% margin in 2004.

8:32 - Early vote totals from Billings and Helena show 24,204 votes for Obama, 20,768 for McCain - and only 713 votes for Ron Paul and 111 for Bob Barr. The low totals for Paul and Barr are a possible sign that the libertarian vote will not be as big a factor as some have anticipated.

8:15 - Polls closed in Montana a few minutes ago, and initial results from absentee ballots and early voting show a very close race at the top of the ticket. In Yellowstone County (Billings) - considered the bellweather for the state - Obama led 50% to 47% among the absentees. But with early voting around the country favoring Obama, that's not necessarily very telling. President Bush carried Yellowstone County with 61% of the vote in 2004 - and carried the state with 58%.

The Montana Secretary of State's website is posting results as they come in at http://sos.mt.gov/ELB/elections/2008/general/Counties/index.asp, though there isn't much there yet.

The Associated Press has projected that Governor Brian Schweitzer will be re-elected.

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