Secretary of State Brown (R) to set run for (Montana) governor

[Ediacara]

Secretary of State Brown to set run for governor
Associated Press

HELENA (AP) - Republican Secretary of State Bob Brown, teamed with Rep. Dave Lewis of Helena as his running mate, will formally launch his campaign for governor this week, The Associated Press has learned.

Sources familiar with the campaign, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Saturday that announcement of the Brown-Lewis pairing will be made Tuesday in Helena.

Brown and Lewis, reached at their Helena homes Saturday, would neither confirm nor deny the report.

Brown's entry into the gubernatorial race comes as no surprise because he has expressed an interest in the office for months, and most political observers have expected him to be a contender.

More at the Billings Gazette

---------

This is the third Republican challenger to incumbant Republican Martz, who may (or may not) run for re-election.

[CMT]

1. I don't think she will run

but I still think Dems can win this seat.

[jiacinto]

2. Is Brian Schweitzer the only Dem running

And if so is he raising enough money? Will this GOP primary be bloody?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

3. Schweitzer fundraising

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Schweitzer of Whitefish continues to shatter Montana campaign-finance records as he has raised $361,569 through June 30, including $106,667 in the past three months.

Schweitzer, the lone announced Democrat for governor in 2004, has spent $149,382 so far, leaving $212,187 in the bank as of June 30. He has spent $61,631 during the past six months.

No other candidate for governor in Montana history has amassed so much money so quickly in the first six months of the year before an election, according to past campaign finance summaries provided by Schweitzer. Schweitzer has done it without accepting any money from political action committees, saying lobbyists already have too much influence in state government.

- Missoulian - July 8 http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003/07/08/news/local/news05.txt

Dimbulb Judy still hasn't said she won't be running. Between her unpopularity and the way the Republicans have run this state into the ground our chances look really good for 2004, not just for the governor's race but the state legislature.

And yes he's the only Dem running. I'd be really surprised if he is challenged.

[jiacinto]

4. Could what happened to the GOP in IL in '02 happen in MT

Could the whole GOP ticket running for state offices be wiped out due to Martz's ineptitude?

[Ediacara]

5. possibly

If Martz is not the nominee, the GOP could pretend her ineptitude just never happened. I really have a strong feeling however that Schweitzer will take it to the bank.

[jiacinto]

6. I am sure she will

In IL all but one Republican lost races for statewide offices. Could the same thing happen in MT?

[Lexingtonian]

7. So who's going to take on Burns in '06?

Bad as Martz is, Burns is in the same ballpark. But I can't find any suggestion of who will challenge him. Any thoughts or rumors?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

8. The difference

There are major differences between Martz and Burns in that being governor, Martz is here trying to run things, and doing an obviously mucked up job of it. Burns is off in Washington delivering pork and Frankenmailers, so he is basically off most people's radar screens till campaign time when his corporate puppetmasters will buy the election again.

[Ediacara]

9. Although

I think an ad campaign using the quotes Burns made about DC would be good. Something like:

"I don't like living in Washington, DC; there's too many black people there." --Conrad Burns, date, place

With the tagline:

"Let's send Conrad home."

Or something like that...

[mndemocrat_29]

10. Burns Potential Challengers

Burns will be targetted in 2006. Most likely, the challenger will be Atty. Gen. Mike McGrath. He's popular and Attorney Generals typically do well in seeking higher office.

[jiacinto]

11. Ok

Thanks.