'Top Gun' buzzes 'Flat Top' in campaign ad: Montana Senate hopeful Downing takes to sky to attack Tester

Republican candidate Troy Downing took to the skies “Top Gun”-style Monday in an ad against Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, playing up the GOP hopeful’s background as a combat veteran.

Downing labeled himself a “big supporter of President Trump” and Tester, a farmer and former music teacher seen perched on a tractor with a horn, as a “trumpeter.”

The ad states Downing is “war vet, helicopter and jet pilot” and shows a man climbing into a fighter jet.

Tester, portrayed as an actor sitting on a tractor and playing the trumpet, is described as “an elementary school music teacher. Plays the trumpet. Fights against our president every day.”

“So, whom should we send to the Senate?” the narrator asks as the jet buzzes the man in the tractor sending both he and his trumpet tumbling.

Tester, who often makes mention that he has seven fingers after a childhood accident, is seen with a full set of fingers as he falls.

Tester’s campaign staff noted that was among many errors in the ad, which is paid for by Downing's campaign.

“You'd think folks using made-up quotes and claims to distort Jon's record of fighting for Montana could at least get the number of his fingers right in their ads,” said Chris Meagher, communications director for Tester’s senate campaign. “But nope! Same fake, failed tactics as before."

Downing is seeking the Republican nomination June 5. Other Republican candidates are Russ Fagg, Dr. Albert Olszewski and Matt Rosendale.

Libertarian Rick Breckenridge and Green Party candidates Timothy Adams and Steve Kelly are also in the race.

Tester is seeking a third term. The general election is Nov. 6.



Downing, a businessman, has been at the center of some controversy this election season.

At a debate of GOP candidates Thursday in Bozeman, Downing was asked about charges he faces for buying Montana resident hunting and fishing licenses when he was still a California resident.

He denied the allegations and said it was a liberal conspiracy against him.



The Associated Press contributed to this story. Reach Phil Drake at 406-422-0772 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com.