HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Latest on Montana’s senator’s reaction to the Kavanaugh hearings (all times local):
10:30 a.m.
Montana Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester says he’ll vote against confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tester said in a statement Friday that he has deep concerns about the allegations of sexual assault against Kavanaugh. Tester also says Kavanaugh defended the Patriot Act and supports dark money in politics.
Tester’s announcement comes the day after an emotional Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that featured Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford describing allegations of the judge’s sexual assault of her, and Kavanaugh angrily defending himself.
Tester added that Kavanaugh couldn’t find time to discuss his concerns in person, so he is basing his decision on what he said in his confirmation hearings.
Tester is up for re-election against Republican candidate Matt Rosendale.
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10:15 a.m.
Montana’s U.S. senators are split on whether the sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh are credible.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester watched portions of Thursday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, who accuses him of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers.
Tester spokeswoman Marnee Banks says Tester found Ford’s testimony credible and the accusations troubling. He isn’t saying whether he’ll vote to confirm Kavanaugh, but will review the record and “continue to listen to the people of Montana about this lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land.”
Daines said in a statement there is no evidence to support Ford’s accusations and that Kavanaugh is the subject of a last-minute smear campaign. Daines says he looks forward to voting for Kavanaugh.
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