US President Donald Trump yesterday revelled in the victory of one of his supporters in a congressional special election, even after the man physically attacked a journalist on the eve of the vote.
At a summit with world leaders in Taormina, Italy, Trump walked past a group of photographers before turning back to offer an unsolicited comment: “Great win in Montana.”
Hours earlier, Republican nominee Greg Gianforte claimed victory in the election to fill the western state of Montana’s vacant seat in the House of Representatives.
He apologised to the journalist who accused the candidate of “body-slamming” him on the eve of Thursday’s vote.
“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,” Gianforte said. “I should not have responded in the way that I did, and for that I’m sorry.”
Final results showed Gianforte won 50% of the vote, finishing ahead of Democrat Rob Quist who received 44% and Libertarian Mark Wicks who managed 6%.
The race had appeared to be closer as initial returns were counted Thursday evening, with the margin of votes as low as several hundred at one point — but Gianforte’s lead widened as the evening went on.
“I should not have treated that reporter that way, and for that I’m sorry, Ben Jacobs,” the Republican said, addressing the Guardian journalist who accused him of assault.
As Gianforte apologised, a woman shouted, “And you’re forgiven!”
In April, one of Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr, attended a rally for Gianforte and called the race “a referendum on Trump.”
Gianforte at the time vowed “to work with Donald Trump to preserve our liberties and rein in this reckless federal government.”
The race for the post vacated by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke had gained attention on Wednesday when Gianforte was charged with misdemeanour assault after allegedly grabbing Jacobs, throwing him to the ground and striking him.
Audio of the incident at Gianforte’s campaign headquarters in Bozeman was recorded on Jacobs’ phone and published on the Guardian website.
In it the sounds of a scuffle can be heard, as well as Gianforte shouting “I’m sick and tired of you guys!...Get the hell out of here!”
A Fox News journalist who witnessed the incident said Gianforte had grabbed Jacobs round the neck, slammed him to the ground and punched him.
“I’m sorry to each one of you that we had to go through this,” Gianforte said early yesterday.
“That’s not the person I am, and it’s not the way I’ll lead in this state.”
He promised to work hard to “protect our precious way of life” and to be a strong voice in Washington for his constituents.
“You deserve a congressman who stays out of the limelight and just gets the job done,” Gianforte said.
Many voters had cast their ballots early, with more than 37% of registered voters doing so before Wednesday’s incident,  the Billings Gazette newspaper reported.
Voter turnout for the election was 54%, according to final results on the state’s election website.
Sparsely populated Montana, with 1mn people in an area larger than Germany, has a single House seat, making the district a statewide race.
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