{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Democratic candidate for governor Mike Cooney","description":"The COVID-19 pandemic may have brought many aspects of daily life to a halt, but Montana\u2019s June 2 primary election is steadily approaching. While this year\u2019s candidates launched their campaigns under relatively normal circumstances, facing off on issues including health care, prescription drug prices, public lands and jobs, the public health crisis has dramatically transformed the political, economic and social landscapes that will be at the forefront of voters\u2019 minds when they begin mailing in their ballots.  \u201cWe\u2019re going to see, probably, some very interesting things happening as a result of COVID. I think Montanans are going to be very interested in making sure the next governor isn\u2019t going to have to be trained on the job,\u201d says Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney, one of two Democrats vying for their party\u2019s nomination for November\u2019s general election. \u201cAnd when I\u2019m elected, on day one, I will be able to hit the ground running.\u201d Cooney and his primary opponent, Missoula businesswoman Whitney Williams, staked out similar policy positions prior to the pandemic. But the economic downturn caused by COVID closures has offered Cooney, who began his political career in the early 1970s, an opportunity to highlight his years of experience in both the legislative and executive branches of government, characterizing that experience as a vital asset at a time when the public may be looking for steady leadership to guide the state\u2019s recovery.  In separate interviews with Montana Free Press, both Cooney and Williams anticipated that Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte will be the Republican nominee. To that point, Cooney notes his presence on the 2016 Democratic ticket, with Gov. Steve Bullock, that bested Gianforte\u2019s first gubernatorial bid.  \u201cI\u2019ve already been on a team that\u2019s beaten Greg Gianforte, and I think that\u2019s going to be very important when it comes to the primary election,\u201d Cooney says. \u201cWe want somebody who\u2019s going to be successful in November.\u201d Asked whether a Cooney administration would be a continuation of Bullock\u2019s, Cooney said he intends to forge his own path: \u201cIt will be a Cooney administration. It\u2019s not going to just be a Bullock 2.0.\u201d Cooney\u2019s conversation with Montana Free Press editor-in-chief John S. Adams is featured on the latest episode of the Montana Lowdown podcast, a weekly publication of Montana Free Press. ","author_name":"Montana Lowdown","author_url":"https:\/\/montanafreepress.org","html":"