And we need a representative who with deal face-to-face with us and give honest, clear and fact-driven answers on tough issues, not someone who limits his access to Montanans through paid campaign events the way Gianforte has been doing and whose answers seem to play both sides of the fence.

In addition, Gianforte and Quist differ markedly on some key issues. While we at OpenSourceMT stand for a limited government and for active, involved citizenship, we also advocate for public policies that enable the technology and other industries to continue to thrive in Montana.

Recently, OpenSourceMT sent a questionnaire to both candidates, asking for their positions on public education, diversity, pubic lands and infrastructure investment. Quist responded to our questions; Gianforte did not.

We assessed Quist based on his responses and Gianforte’s based on the information on his website and his actions and statements in and prior to the governor’s race. Of particular concern about Gianforte are his past effort to block public access to the East Gallatin River near his home, his open opposition to common-sense anti-discrimination policies in Bozeman and other Montana cities, and support for the diversion of public education funds to private schools, something that would be especially detrimental to rural communities.