With respect to the MT Senator race: Public Lands issue, it should be noted that when State Auditor Matt Rosendale touts the accomplishments of the Land Board regarding public land acquisitions and public land access, he is taking credit for the actions of a board under the leadership and chairmanship of Democratic Governor Steve Bullock. Also his obvious opposition to an important conservation and access easement this past year was seemingly based on ideology and allegiance to resource extraction industries, while ignoring the wishes of private property owners and the extensive research, negotiations, and vetting accomplished prior to the proposal reaching the Land Board.
Secondly, it should be noted that if and when he has the opportunity and responsibility of voting on legislation regarding PLT, it is highly unlikely that he will oppose his party's platform. IMO, the only reason he has recently expressed any opposition to PLT is that he has heard loud and clear from the voters across Montana and is crafting his position(s) simply to garner votes. If in fact he is a limited term candidate, he will care less about voter attitudes and more about party ideology ... and big money going forward.
So .... regardless of any angst you may have about Senator Tester's past or future votes, if you regard the public lands issues as highly as most Montanans ... you will not cast a vote for Auditor Rosendale.
But if I am understanding much of the rationale concerning opposition to Tester, it sounds like the SCOTUS appointment by President Trump is far more important than public land and public land access concerns.
Sad to me at this juncture in the era of jeopardy to public lands.