HELENA – Former Secretary of State Brad Johnson, a Republican, says he will run again for the office he lost in 2008 after one term to Linda McCulloch.
Johnson said in a Thursday release that he wants to again be the state’s top election official. Johnson says he would use a second term, with its seat on the Montana State Land Board, to push responsible natural resource development.
Johnson faces a primary battle with Helena Republican Scott Aspenlieder. McCulloch, a Democrat, is seeking re-election.
Since losing in his 2008 re-election bid, Johnson lost a 2010 Republican primary for a seat on the Public Service Commission after suspending that campaign amid a drunk-driving charge. He was then rebuffed later that year in a request to be named the commissioner of political practices.