Montana’s governor on secret vacation as floods rage

Montana’s governor has been absent from his post even though floodwaters have swept section of his state.

Greg Gianforte is on a “long-scheduled own trip” with his spouse, his business office verified. Citing protection concerns, the area was not disclosed — but the information internet site Newsy states it has a photo of the Gianfortes dining Wednesday night time in Tuscany.

Soon after the information broke, a spokesperson reported that Gianforte experienced been out of the state since Saturday and planned to return to survey flood injury on Friday, NBC Montana described.

Exceptionally large rainfall in excess of the weekend  caused flooding and mudslides in southern Montana. Structures were being swept absent and electricity slice off in some towns. All entrances to Yellowstone Countrywide Park have been shut since Monday, and the park’s supervisor stated roadways in the northern part are not likely to reopen this period.

The governor’s absence was noticed when a catastrophe declaration Tuesday from his business office bore the lieutenant governor’s signature.

The information has drawn comparisons to Sen. Ted Cruz’s a lot-criticized vacation to Mexico all through a devastating Texas  storm past year.

Gianforte, 61, beforehand a U.S. Property member, is in his to start with time period as governor. He built countrywide headlines during his 2017 congressional marketing campaign when he body-slammed a reporter. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and acquired a sentence which includes group provider and anger administration classes.