No matter how populist the agenda, however, there would likely still be elements of the party platform, like support for gun control, that could become a liability in conservative parts of the country. That includes Montana: In one ad, Republican Gianforte says: “some folks just don’t get it, our Second Amendment rights are not up for negotiation,” after a narrator ominously accuses Quist of wanting to “establish a national gun registry” that would put residents’ personal information “in a big government computer.” In an ad of his own, Quist, wearing the cowboy hat that’s become his signature, wields a rifle and vows to “protect your right to bear arms.”

But even as he tries to showcase his political independence from Washington, Quist doesn’t seem to want every party leader to stay away. Sanders, who remains an Independent but is officially part of Senate Democratic leadership, endorsed Quist last month, and is expected to campaign alongside him ahead of the election.

As Democrats work to rebuild in the Trump era, some party leaders acknowledge that “there’s no question that the Democratic Party needs to strengthen its brand,” as Deputy DNC Chair Keith Ellison put it in a recent interview. He argued that the party can do that by “strengthening our ties, and connection and trust with the grassroots.”

“We’re willing to help as much as the candidates on the ground are willing to allow us,” Ellison said, noting that “there are some candidates who are trying to make more of an independent appeal, and in their subjective view, it wouldn’t necessarily help to have us coming in really strong.”

But, Ellison added: “The only thing I ask for candidates is to take responsibility for the outcome. If the candidates want us to be heavily involved, then we should, but if they feel like striking a more independent tone would be better, then don’t be mad if we’re not all over the place.”

Even if Montana Democrats don’t think the national party’s presence would benefit their candidate, however, they still want the party’s money. As the race heads into its final stretch, some Democratic operatives think national groups should make an even larger investment in the race.

“There’s a big difference between sending in the DNC chair and a decision by the party to invest money to help the campaign effort. My understanding is the DCCC sent in a decent amount, but they certainly could invest more,” Barrett said. “The GOP poured money into Montana from Day 1 of the campaign on negative ads. The question now is whether national Democrats will do more to truly level the playing field.”

Some progressive critics, meanwhile, think the party should devote more attention to the Montana race to prove it cares about winning in non-urban and not-as-affluent parts of the country, especially after national Democrats largely stayed on the sidelines of a Kansas special election last month in a deep-red congressional district. The Democratic candidate ultimately lost that race, though it proved far more competitive than most observers had predicted.