HELENA – Republican Troy Downing says he’ll run for the open state auditor’s office now that the incumbent, Matt Rosendale, is campaigning for U.S. House.
Downing made the announcement Wednesday in a Facebook post . It’s the 52-year-old military veteran’s second campaign for office after unsuccessfully seeking the 2018 GOP nomination for U.S. Senate.
He’s also the first person to run for auditor after Rosendale decided not to seek re-election to pursue the state’s open congressional seat.
Auditor is one of three statewide offices that Republicans took from Democrats in 2016.
During his Senate campaign, Downing faced allegations by state wildlife officials that he purchased less-expensive in-state hunting and fishing licenses when he was not a full-time Montana resident.
Downing initially called the allegations a liberal conspiracy, then pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges after losing the primary.