Montana’s lone Congressman Denny Rehberg met with the National Republican Senatorial Committee Thursday and is considering challenging U.S. Sen. Jon Tester’s seat in 2012. From POLITICO:
There’s mutual interest between Rehberg and NRSC officials, according to a source familiar with both sides.
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said Thursday night that Tester’s represented his constituents well and will be formidable when he seeks re-election in three years.
“I don’t think it would be wise” to challenge him, Baucus said.
This is big news. Rehberg is perhaps the most well-known Republican in the state, with every major state office and both U.S. Senate seats held by Democrats. And if he does decide to run for Senate, who will campaign for his congressional seat? Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who will by then be term-limited as governor, certainly comes to mind.