Republicans say in a television ad that Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester has taken more money from lobbyists than any other member of Congress as he seeks to fend off a challenge from Republican State Auditor Matt Rosendale. Tester, a third-generation farmer and former president of the Montana Senate, has a reputation as a populist.

In this March 8, 2016, file photo, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Republicans got it right that Tester for a time topped all other members of Congress in campaign contributions from lobbyists.