Drew Turiano Called Out For Misleading "Tea Party" Claim

Perpetual candidate Drew Turiano has been calling himself a "Tea Party" choice for Congress. 

But that's not so, according to the Montana Tea Party Coalition (MTPC).

After surveying 17 member organizations that comprise the coalition, the MTPC sent out a press release today reporting the fact that not a single Tea Party reported having met Turiano or seen him at a Tea Party event or meeting. Furthermore, the MTPC as well as the individual Tea Party groups as a matter of policy do not endorse, support or oppose any candidate for public office or support or oppose any political party. 

Previously, Republicans have been distancing themselves from Turiano because he used an offensive racial term for hispanics. The MTPC did not specifically mention that issue, but comes immediately after a prominent fundraising dinner where Turiano said he was excluded for being "Tea Party" but was in fact excluded because of the offensive language.

The Tea Party also shot down Democrat party claims that "Tea Party" candidates are running in the Democratic primary, other than Mike Comstock, who was previously involved with the local Bozeman Tea Party and has run twice before as a Democrat.

According to their release, the Montana Tea Party Coalition is a loosely organized coalition of 17 Tea Party organizations from around the state.