Three weeks ago Democratic congressional candidate James Thompson came within 7 points of winning a special election in Kansas, despite the DNC and DCCC giving him practically no help. Thompson embraced Sen. Bernie Sanders’ progressive agenda.
History appears to be repeating in Montana.

As early voting kicks off in Montana this week, national Democrats are holding back from heavy investments in the state’s May 25 special House election, believing Democratic candidate Rob Quist still has a steep hill to climb to win a state that voted heavily for President Donald Trump just months ago.
Campaigns for Montana’s lone House district often play second fiddle to resource-hogging Senate or gubernatorial races in the state. This year, it’s being overshadowed by the special election in Georgia, where Democrats are riding not just grassroots enthusiasm — which has helped Quist raise over $2.5 million so far — but also critical demographic and political shifts that are not present in Montana.

The DCCC has spent just $200,000 helping Quist, while Republican outside groups have spent $2 million on TV attack ads.
Quist, who is also a Berniecrat, did the math and figured out that he would simply be better off without the DCCC.

Rob Quist, the folk music star-turned-Democratic House candidate in Montana’s special election, declined an offer for the Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez to campaign for him in the state, an inside source says....
However, Quist has welcomed the support of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who the Montana Democrat backed in the 2016 presidential primary. Sanders announced this month that he would campaign for Quist some time before the May 25 special election.

The problem is that Quist simply can't compete on the money.
According to financial disclosure forms, Republican Greg Gianforte is worth between $65 million and $315 million and made from $2.3 million to $15.7 million last year.
Quist, OTOH, has a negative net worth and reported about $29,000 of personal income last year.