HELENA – Two Republicans that lost to a former Green Party member in the U.S. Senate primary say they may seek the seat another way.
Perennial candidate Bob Kelleher of Butte stunned Republicans and observers when he came out on top last week in a six-way Senate primary.
Even though he has supported gun control and ending war spending, Kelleher is now the Republican facing incumbent U.S. Sen. Max Baucus in the general election.
But Patty Lovaas of Missoula says she wants to pursue a run as an independent candidate. Lovaas says Kelleher does not represent Republicans.
Republicans also say that Mike Lange of Billings, who finished second in the primary, may run as a write-in candidate.
State election officials say it is too late for Lovaas to run as an independent, but there is still time to run as a write-in candidate.