A reporter for The Guardian claimed that U.S. House of Representatives candidate Greg Gianforte “body slammed” him and broke his glasses as he was attempting to ask questions. After interviewing several witnesses the county sheriff cited Gianforte for misdemeanor assault saying that Gianforte’s act did not constitute a felony. (Bozeman Daily Chronicle, May 24, 2017, by Chronicle Staff)
On the eve of the election in a key House race, the altercation poses a threat to Gianforte’s chances. The incident closely follows two others nationally involving reporters arrested or roughed up while asking questions of government officials. (CNN, May 25, 2017, by Chris Cillizza)
Fallout was evident as three Montana newspapers rescinded endorsements of Gianforte. “The Independent Record said it was ‘sick and tired’ of Mr. Gianforte’s ‘incessant attacks on the free press.’ In the past, he has encouraged his supporters to boycott certain newspapers, singled out a reporter in a room to point out that he was outnumbered, and even made a joke out of the notion of choking a news writer, and these are not things we can continue to brush off,’ they said.” (The Washington Times, May 25, 2017, by Seth McLaughlin)