HELENA – U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg is turning to longtime staffer, consultant and friend Erik Iverson to run his campaign challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in 2012.
Iverson has been working as a consultant for Rehberg since leaving his congressional staff in 2008. Rehberg formally named Iverson campaign manager and general consultant Thursday.
Iverson is a past chairman of the Montana Republican Party and was a key figure in the 2006 race between former U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns and Tester. Burns called on Iverson to resuscitate a struggling campaign, and many Republicans credit Iverson with helping to keep the results close.
The battle between Democrat Tester and Rehberg is already heating up 17 months before Election Day. It is expected to be among the most closely watched races in the country.