HELENA — Technology entrepreneur Greg Gianforte has filed paperwork that says he is exploring a run for Montana governor in 2016.
The 53-year-old Republican founder of RightNow Technologies in Bozeman has previously said he was considering challenging Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock.
On Monday, he filed a candidate statement with the Commissioner of Political Practices for an exploratory campaign. It is not a declaration of candidacy, but the filing will allow him to start raising money.
Spokeswoman Amy Lunde provided a statement from Gianforte that says he looks forward to hearing ideas from Montanans about how to make the state better.
Montana Democratic Party spokeswoman Nancy Keenan says voters will reject Gianforte once they see his record of supporting policies that discriminate, hurt employment and protect dark money.