Quist said he has been connecting with Montanans his whole life, and he doesn't think he will have trouble getting people to cross party lines. He said he has had conversations with Republicans, and they agree on 80 percent of the issues.

"I really don't feel like I'm an underdog in this race," he said.

Kevin Hamm, with the Stonewall Democrats, gave an energizing nomination speech for Curtis, which drew applause and cheers from the crowd. He said Curtis, who was defeated by Republican Steve Daines after being nominated to run for U.S. Senate only 50 days before the 2014 general election, has experience in a short and fast-paced election.

“She has walked through that fire already,” he said. “It’s time we help the lady take the seat.”

Curtis also highlighted the necessity of experience, mentioning her two terms in the state Legislature and the requirement of the nominee to immediately understand and act on federal policy issues. She said she’s already been vetted by Republicans during her run against Daines.

She took time out of her speech to issue a general warning to whoever won the nomination, saying they will deal with trackers from the opposition and said the other side doesn’t play nice.