Conrad Burns (R)          51%
Brian Schweitzer (D)       48%

Race Recap:

Voters who care about protecting MontanaÆs famed green spaces and natural resources were faced with a clear choice on Election Day.  With an LCV environmental rating of zero percent for his votes on key environmental legislation in the 106th Congress, Senator Conrad Burns (R) repeatedly sided with polluters at the expense of the environment and public health.  In contrast, his Democratic opponent Brian Schweitzer had pledged, if elected, to fight for strong clean air and water standards.  With such a clear distinction between the two candidates on environmental protection, LCV was able to elevate the importance of the environment in this race.

Key Polling Results:

LCV, working with Greenberg Quinlan Research, Inc., surveyed likely voters in Montana from Sept. 13-21, and again from Nov 5-6, to determine the salience of environmental issues in this region.  Key poll findings include:

• Montanans surveyed in September ranked clean water and air among their top issues of concern going into this yearÆs elections.  Eighty-four percent of those surveyed in November said clean air and water played important roles in their voting decisions.
  
• According to Montanans surveyed in November, Burns acceptance of support from polluting special interests, along with his repeated votes to block mining reform to improve water and air quality were among the top four reasons to vote against him.

Dirty Dozen Campaign Activities:

The LCV Action Fund named Burns to its Dirty Dozen list of anti-environment candidates on October 19, 2000. Since then, LCVAF spent $292,000 to inform Montana voters that when it came to protecting MontanaÆs natural resources and keeping communities safe from toxics, Burns was not on their side.

In October, LCVAF launched a television ad campaign in Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula, detailing Burns record of siding with polluters and mining companies at the expense of the environment and public health.  The ad focused on the tragedy of asbestos victims in Libby, Mont.  Additionally, the campaign launched three radio ads, highlighting BurnsÆ ties to special interests and his votes against clean water and the clean up of toxic waste sites. 

LCV hired a full-time campaign manager to develop and implement an aggressive earned media effort, which included efforts to ensure that environmental questions were raised during debates between the Senate candidates. In addition, a rapid response program held Burns accountable for his poor votes each time he attempted to greenwash his record or neglect crucial environmental issues.