To put it lightly, Jon Tester really stepped in it this week.
Senator Tester started out the week totally nuking his own campaign strategy. His dishonest smear of Trump’s pick to head the VA spectacularly backfired, ending in President Trump’s call for Tester’s resignation.
In a state Trump won 20 points and where Sen. Tester has never broken 50% on the ballot, the development was quite the blow. Especially as Tester’s own campaign has tried cozying up to Trump in ads. His week only got worse as President Trump continued, calling out Senator Tester for his support for sanctuary cities.
Then, White House Director of Legislative Affairs Director Marc Short promised Trump may soon be headed to Big Sky Country to campaign against Tester. Wednesday, the NRSC and others launched a fleet of new ads statewide in Montana, highlighting Trump’s calls on Tester to resign.
And then he finished out the week getting caught begging for dark money to defend him, despite making a pledge to reject such spending on his behalf.
In all, the week’s headlines paint a clear picture: Tester picked the wrong fight and his campaign is now in total meltdown. Just take a look at this week’s news…
Trump says Democrat should quit over VA nomination brouhaha
Associated Press, 4/28/18
Donald Trump calls for Jon Tester to resign over Jackson opposition
CNN, 4/28/18
Warren rushing to Tester’s aid after Trump attack
Politico, 4/30/18
The GOP is preparing to use Ronny Jackson’s failed VA nomination to hammer Montana Sen. Jon Tester this fall
CNBC, 4/30/18
Trump targets Tester over ‘open borders’
The Hill, 4/30/18
Trump’s attack on Tester shines spotlight on Montana Senate contest
ABC News, 4/30/18
Trump-Tester Dust-Up Could Heat Up MT Senate Race
Real Clear Politics, 5/1/18
White House takes feud with Sen. Tester to Montana airwaves
The Associated Press, 5/1/18
GOP groups take out ads to stoke Trump-Tester feud
The Associated Press, 5/2/18
Tester feeling heat from Trump in Montana Senate race
Fox News, 5/2/18