Daines to highlight Halloween GOP rally

There will be treats but no tricks when Republicans hold a pre-election Halloween campaign rally at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Great Northern Inn.

The rally will feature U.S. Rep. Steve Daines, who is heading up the GOP ticket this fall.

Earlier in the day, the GOP will hold a pumpkin giveaway at Memorial Park on 5th Avenue, 4 to 6 p.m.

"We encourage any and all to come out and enjoy some hot apple cider, get a pumpkin for Halloween and meet the congressman," said Hill County Republican Chair Andrew Brekke.

Cider, hot chocolate and free pumpkins will be given out at Memorial Park. Local legislative candidates will be on hand, and toward the end of the festivities, Daines will join in, Brekke said.

Then, party faithful will move to the great Northern Inn for the Daines rally, he said.

Daines is leading in the polls in his contest with Democrat Amanda Curtis, who joined the race after John Walsh was forced out by a plagiarism scandal. Libertarian Roger Roots is also in the race.

Brekke said Curtis “was dealt a poor hand” by having to enter the race so late, and has done a commendable job, but he’s confident that Daines will win the race

The political campaign is heating up in preparation for Tuesday’s voting.

Democrats will hold rallies in Havre, Rocky Boy and Fort Belknap Thursday as well. They will highlight Gov. Steve Bullock and Sen. Jon Tester.

There is a relatively light number of races on the midterm ballot this year, but they have been hotly contested.

In addition to the Senate race, Republican Ryan Zinke and Democrat John Lewis are vying for the state’s only U.S. House seat.

There are also Montana legislature races around the Hi-Line.

There are nonpartisan races for the Montana Supreme Court.

Incumbent Mike Wheat faces Lawrence VanDyke for one seat on the high court, while Justice Jim Rice faces W. David Herbert for the second seat.