bozeman mont republican greg gianforte defeat political novice win montana seat u.s. house representatives thursday barely 24 hours charge assault reporter ask republican healthcare bill race expect test president donald trump political influence ahead next year u.s. congressional elections jolt charge gianforte wealthy technology executive urge voters send congress help trump speak cheer supporters bozeman win gianforte apologize incident say proud action respond way sorry gianforte say treat reporter way gianforte beat democrat rob quist banjo player first-time candidate focus campaign criticism republican effort repeal replace former president barack obama healthcare law cnn project gianforte would win 96 percent vote count lead quist 51 percent 43 percent gianforte prevail despite charge wednesday night misdemeanor assault ben jacobs political correspondent u.s. edition guardian newspaper say candidate body-slammed campaign event bozeman gianforte victory boost republicans worry trump political stumble unpopularity healthcare bill pass house hurt chance hold 24-seat house majority next year elections relatively close margin race republican-leaning montana encourage democrats already focus next month hotly contest special house election suburbs atlanta georgia gianforte favor win montana republicans hold lone house seat two decades trump 20 percentage point 2016 presidential election race grow close last week however quist focus criticism house healthcare bill quist wear signature cowboy hat tell supporters missoula montana grassroots energy campaign would continue know montanans hold mr gianforte accountable quist say unclear gianforte assault impact vote third state register voters already submit ballot happen state election officials say gianforte supporters shrug charge say believe publish account feel like propaganda know mean hard believe anything media tell say nathaniel trumper cast vote gianforte poll station helena assault occur jacobs try ask gianforte healthcare accord audio tape fox news channel reporter alicia acuna prepare interview gianforte say candidate grab jacobs neck hand slam grind afterward three state newspapers rescind endorsements gianforte republican lawmakers include house speaker paul ryan suggest apologize gianforte specifically address apology jacobs last night make mistake say add sorry mr ben jacobs republican national committee chairwoman ronna mcdaniel call gianforte apology good first step toward redemption say hop continue work toward right wrong gianforte take house seat vacate trump name ryan zinke secretary interior trump vice president mike pence record robocalls voters gianforte behalf republican group pour millions ads criticize quist property tax liens unpaid debts quist say stem botch gallbladder surgery quist raise million upstart bid say experience give insight economic struggle people face campaign last weekend u.s. senator bernie sanders vermont state 2016 democratic presidential primary hillary clinton gianforte could face additional serious charge prosecutors review evidence gallatin county attorney marty lambert tell reuters gianforte two weeks enter plea misdemeanor citation issue gallatin county sheriff office accord lambert say would likely review case decide whether treat felony offense would supersede current charge always possibility get case detail might look differently charge decision lambert say republican win montana special election despite assault charge