NYC > Missoula+Great Falls+Billings

When Jon Tester was running for the Senate in 2006 he criticized his opponent for spending too much time with “lobbyists” on the East Coast rather than dealing with Montanans at home.  Well, the tables have turned. 

 In the 2012 election cycle, Tester is the number one recipient of lobbyist money and three quarters of all his donations have come from out-of-state.  While Tester has raised nearly $3 million from out-of-state, he has barely raised a million back at home.  In fact, since first running for office he has received more contributions from New York City alone than from Missoula, Billings, and Great Falls combined.  Looks like Tester has been spending a little too much time looking for campaign support on the East Coast with big money lobbyists than making his case for a second term back in Montana.

TESTER: “I Think It’s Unfortunate That Sen. Burns Feels It’s More Important To Deal With The Big-Money Lobbyists On The East Coast Rather Than Stand Here And Deal With Montanans” (Gwen Floria, “Burns’ Absence Makes The Barbs Grow Sharper,” Great Falls Tribune, 6/11/06)

Tester Has Taken $348,031 From Lobbyist In The 2012 Cycle. (The Center For Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 6/18/12)

• Tester Is The #1 Recipient Of Lobbyist Money In The 2012 Cycle. (The Center For Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 6/18/12)

(The Center For Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 6/18/12)

(Center For Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 4/24/12)

(The Center For Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 4/24/12)