BILLINGS, Mont. — Montana’s Republican governor, Greg Gianforte, reported more than $23 million in income over four years ending in 2022, as the former technology executive is seeking re-election for a second term continues to raise money of investments, according to tax records released by his campaign.
Democrat Ryan Bussea former firearms industry executive, will challenge Gianforte in November.
Gianforte spent more than $6 million of his own money on a failed run for governor in 2016. After being elected to Congress in a 2017 special electionhe ran for governor again four years ago and spent more than $7.5 million defeating Democrat Mike Cooney by a wide margin, according to campaign finance reports.
So far this election cycle, he has contributed about $47,000 to his campaign, reports show.
Most of Gianforte’s income since 2019 has come from investment profits, his tax returns indicate. He receives about $120,000 a year for being governor.
Spokeswoman Anna Marian Block said Gianforte was maintaining a “commitment to transparency” to Montana residents in releasing his statements.
Since 2005, Gianforte has reported revenues of more than $265 million, according to previous disclosures. Most of that money came after Oracle Corp. bought Gianforte’s Bozeman-based company, RightNow Technologies, for $1.8 billion.
Gianforte’s Democrats and Republican primary opponents tried unsuccessfully in 2020 to turn Gianforte’s enormous wealth into a liability, saying he wanted to buy the election.
Busse’s campaign refused to release his tax returns.
