State Auditor race may hinge more on politics than policy

With political polarization strengthening across the country, even the races far down on Montana’s ballot are feeling the heat of identity politics. The state auditor is arguably the lowest-ballot race there is, but the position is responsible for supervising the state’s insurance and securities industries and investigating fraud.

Two years ago, Republican Jim Brown mounted a campaign for the state Supreme Court, trying to secure a spot on the high court by stressing his support from Republicans. That race ended in Supreme Court justice Ingrid Gustafson cruising to re-election and now Brown is...