"For Montanans, it's been harder and harder to find a home that meets their needs and is affordable," he said. The result is not only more condos and duplexes, but a hot-button issue in a Senate race that could ultimately decide who controls the chamber. Tim Sheehy, the Republican nominee, is a former Navy SEAL who founded an aerial firefighting company in Montana. He blames high housing costs on inflation, and blames inflation on laws backed by President Joe Biden and voted on by Tester. "Our biggest challenge growing our company was convincing folks to come to Montana and absorb these crazy housing costs," Sheehy said during the debate.

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Persons: DJ Smith, it's, Democratic Sen, Jon Tester, Trump, Cook, Sheehy, Montanans, Tester, Tim Sheehy, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Montana Association of Realtors, Big Sky, Senate, Democratic, Republican, AARP, Montana Broadcasters Association, Navy SEAL Locations: MISSOULA, Mont, —, Montana