Republicans are wealthiest in Montana Congressional races

Recently released financial disclosure forms indicate that Republican candidates in Montana’s Congressional races have the most personal wealth.

• Rep. Steve Daines — Montana’s lone Congressman, now running for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Sen. Max Baucus, is the wealthiest of the three members of the Montana Congressional delegation. The Republican’s personal assets are worth between $8.9 million and $32.7 million.

Daines, 51, an executive at RightNow Technologies in Bozeman from 2000 to 2012, owns a seven-bedroom home north of Bozeman worth about $2.47 million. He listed his home and rental property mortgage liabilities at between $1 million and $2 million.

• Sen. John Walsh — Daines’ Democratic opponent this fall was appointed by Gov. Steve Bullock to fill Baucus’ seat after Baucus accepted the job as ambassador to Japan. Walsh reported personal assets worth between $66,000 and $165,000.

Walsh, 53, left the Montana National Guard after 33 years of service before successfully running for Montana lieutenant governor in 2012. He owns a four-bedroom home in Helena worth $294,000 and listed liabilities of between $180,000 and $450,000, mostly home-related loans.

• Sen. Jon Tester — The Democrat is not up for re-election this year. He reported personal assets worth between $1.1 million and $2.2 million, most of which are connected to his family’s organic grain farm near Big Sandy.

Tester valued his farmland, farm equipment and farm house at between $1 million and $2 million. His farm earned from $25,000 to $65,000 last year, and Tester earned a salary of less than $2,700.

• Ryan Zinke — The Whitefish Republican running for Montana’s lone House seat reported personal assets worth from $1.1 million to $2.5 million. This includes homes and property in Whitefish and Kalispell, household goods and art.

Zinke, 52, a retired Navy SEAL commander, also reported between $215,000 and $550,000 in liabilities, including mortgages on two homes and a truck loan. He also reported earning $215,000 in income last year, including $52,000 from the On Point Montana security consulting firm, where he is CEO; $40,000 from Continental Divide International, where he is CEO; $85,000 from STWA, a Santa Barbara, Calif. energy-related company where he is a director; and a $24,000 salary from his wife’s family trust.

• John Lewis — The Democrat from Helena running against Zinke reported personal assets worth from $66,000 to $165,000, most in a retirement savings plan. His liabilities totaled between $30,000 and $45,000, including a personal loan and credit card debt.

Lewis, 36, worked as Baucus’ top aide for 12 years. Earlier reports showed he earned $58,000 last year working as Baucus’ aide and earned $5,833 last year working for Baucus’ campaign.