HELENA — Democrats questioned Thursday whether U.S. Senate candidate Matt Rosendale illegally coordinated with the National Rifle Association based on an audio recording of the Montana Republican saying the NRA planned to support his campaign.

Rosendale spokesman Shane Scanlon called the accusation baseless and said Rosendale only discussed the NRA's endorsement with the gun-rights group, which is legal.

An audio recording posted by The Daily Beast appears to capture Rosendale saying that he expected the NRA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to enter the race against Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in August, and that he had spoken with Chris Cox, executive director of NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, the group's lobbying arm.


Rosendale's comments came in response to an unidentified speaker's question, asking if outside groups started spending on his behalf.


https://missoulian.com/news/government-and-politics/montana-gop-candidate-matt-rosendale-accused-of-coordinating-with-nra/article_3d94445e-2203-5dc2-90f7-c1c38b6bf09e.html