US Republican candidate wins Montana House seat

US Republican candidate Greg Gianforte has won the special election for Montana’s House seat a day after being charged with assaulting a reporter.

Gianforte won the election by 50 percent against his democratic rival Rob Quist, who managed to garner 43 percent of the votes.

The multi-millionaire technology entrepreneur is an enthusiastic supporter of US President Donald Trump. His alignment with the White House was a clear strategy to win over his rival.

The race is seen as a test of Trump’s political clout ahead of next year’s congressional elections.

Gianforte has been charged with misdemeanor assault and could face additional, more serious charges once prosecutors review the evidence.

The incident occurred when Ben Jacobs, a Guardian reporter tried to ask Gianforte about healthcare. The candidate grabbed the reporter by the neck with both hands and slammed him to the ground.

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“When you make a mistake, you have to own up to it. That’s the Montana way. Last night I made a mistake, and I took an action that I can’t take back, and I’m not proud of what happened. I should not have responded in the way that I did, and for that I’m sorry. I should not have treated that reporter that way, and for that I am sorry Mr. Ben Jacobs." Gianforte told his supporters at his Election Night rally on Thursday in Bozeman.

Reporting the incident, Jacobs said, “He took me to the ground.”

“I think he wailed on me once or twice ... He got on me and I think he hit me ... This is the strangest thing that has ever happened to me in reporting on politics.”

Gianforte has been endorsed by Trump and his Vice-President Mike Pence.

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