Montana Sen. Jon Tester Jonathan (Jon) TesterPence seeks to boost Daines in critical Montana Senate race This World Suicide Prevention Day, let's recommit to protecting the lives of our veterans Filibuster fight looms if Democrats retake Senate MORE (D) says interacting with the media is “part of the job” for lawmakers following House GOP candidate Greg Gianforte’s alleged assault of a reporter in their state.

“This is in the hands of law enforcement,” Tester said in a statement Thursday, reported by the Los Angeles Times. “But part of the job representing the people of Montana is answering basic questions on important topics, topics such as how a dangerous healthcare plan could impact the very people you are trying to represent. It’s part of the job.”

A number of Republicans on Thursday criticized Gianforte after he was charged with a misdemeanor assault following the incident with a reporter the night before.

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Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who previously campaigned for Gianforte ahead of Thursday's special election, said Gianforte “needs to apologize” after allegedly grabbing The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs and throwing him to the ground.

Gianforte allegedly slammed Jacobs to the floor at the candidate’s campaign headquarters in Bozeman after he was asked about the GOP’s healthcare plan.

Gianforte's spokesman released a statement Wednesday accusing Jacobs of having "aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg's face" and "asking badgering questions." But a Fox News television crew that witnessed the incident backed up the reporter's account, saying the candidate grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground.

The incident has roiled Montana’s special House election ahead of a vote Thursday. The race between Gianforte and Democrat Rob Quist had already drawn national attention, with both parties eyeing the electoral battle for potential evidence of President Trump's impact on GOP candidates across the country.

Gianforte and Quist are battling for the seat vacated by former Rep. Ryan Zinke, whom President Trump tapped to lead the Interior Department. Polls in Montana close at 10 p.m. ET Thursday night.