HELENA – Gov. Brian Schweitzer has chosen Helena attorney and former legislator David Gallik to head the state’s political practices office.
In picking Gallick, the Democratic governor ignored three other candidates forwarded by Republican leaders earlier Friday.
Schweitzer was not bound to the picks and could have chosen whomever he likes. But when he picked Jennifer Hensley, one of the last nominees that lawmakers sent to him, the Senate rebuffed that choice.
The Senate must confirm Gallik when the Legislature reconvenes in 2013.
Gallik is an attorney in private practice and a former Democratic state representative. He was staff attorney for the state Insurance Commissioner and worked for the U.S. Senate as a state staff director.
He had previously applied for the top ethics chief spot when Marc Racicot (RAHS’-koh) was governor.