Page 11 - Flathead Beacon // 5.21.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS
MAY 21, 2014 | 11

Crowded Republican Field Vies

for U.S. House Nomination

S
A

Democratic nominee

less unpredictable, but
Around
upset still possible be-

tween Lewis and Driscoll

EVERY
By TRISTAN SCOTT of the Beacon

A crowded ield of Republican can-
didates are clambering for the party’s
nomination for the U.S. House of Rep-
resentatives in the June 3 primary, with
all but one of them bearing legislative

experience, while the two-way race for
BEND
the Democratic nomination appears to
be less of a toss-up.
The ive GOP candidates are former
state Sen. Ryan Zinke of Whiteish; state
Sen. Elsie Arntzen of Billings; state Sen.
Matt Rosendale of Glendive; former
LEFT: Ryan Zinke Right: John Lewis
state Sen. Corey Stapleton of Billings; GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
and Drew Turiano of Helena.
They are running for the House seat “I think it would be a shock if Lewis
that irst-term Republican Rep. Steve “IT LOOKS LIKE ALL EYES didn’t win,” University of Montana asso-
in life
Daines is vacating in favor of a U.S. Sen- ciate professor of political science Rob-
ate run.
ARE ON ZINKE AT THIS POINT ert Saldin said. “His party has come out
The Republican nominee will face of really strongly in support of him, and
in November against one of two Demo- (IN THE REPUBLICAN Driscoll is unconventional by Demo-

crats vying for their party’s nomination PRIMARY). HE HAS RAISED cratic standards. He supported the Re-
in the Democratic primary – either John publican budget, which didn’t earn him
Lewis, a former top aide to former Sen. any favors.”
Max Baucus, or former Public Service THE MOST MONEY.”
While political observers say Zinke
Commissioner John Driscoll.
is the most likely candidate to prevail,
Libertarian Mike Fellows of Missou- UM Professor Robert Saldin
the ultra-conservative Rosendale, who
la also will be on the fall ballot.
lives in Glendive, has gained popularity,
Campaign inance reports show Zin- particularly in eastern Montana.

ke had raised nearly $910,000 through Zinke, a former Navy SEAL com-
March 31, while Rosendale collected mander, is expected to do well in Flat-
about $642,000, including $500,000 in MEA-MFT, Montana State Firemen’s head County, though he has come under
loans from himself.
Association, Montana Conservation persistent ire for accepting contribu-
Zinke had about $424,000 left in the Voters and Planned Parenthood Advo- tions from Special Operations for Amer-
bank on March 31, while Rosendale had cates of Montana.
ica, a super PAC he formed to help defeat
about $222,000.
Lewis, having spent approximately Barack Obama’s reelection. SOFA PAC

Stapleton had raised $373,800 and 50 times his opponent, is expected to has spent or booked television ads total-
had $55,452 cash on hand; Arntzen had win, but Driscoll has emerged as a suc- ing $39,970 in support of Zinke.
raised $133,275 with $51,565 cash on cessful underdog before.
Saldin said the very fact that Zinke
hand; and Turiano had raised $6,840 Driscoll has not received any en- has come under ire is an indication that
with $721 cash on hand.
dorsements, but his surprise candidacy he is the strongest candidate.
Lewis had raised $694,500 with smacks of his 2008 run, when he iled “It looks like all eyes are on Zinke at
$511,750 cash on hand as of the March 31 near the deadline and went on to win the this point. He has raised the most mon-
iling deadline.
Democratic primary for the House, de- ey and now he has been called out for

His only competition, Driscoll, a re- spite raising and spending no money.
not being conservative enough by some
tired Montana National Guard colonel, In that race, Driscoll upset Helena of the party leaders, which suggests that
has pledged not to campaign or fund- attorney Jim Hunt, who had the support everyone is focused on him and he is
raise.
of top Democrats, and drew the ire of the perceived by the party as the guy out in
Lewis, who worked for former U.S. party as a paper candidate.
front,” Saldin said.
Sen. Max Baucus for 12 years before Although he won’t raise any money Still, in a primary election, which
resigning last summer, has been cam- for the primary campaign, Driscoll said typically draws a more ideological brand

paigning full time, traveling to all 56 he would accept contributions if he ad- of party loyalist than a general election,
counties and fundraising aggressively.
vances to the general election.
Saldin said the attacks could have an ef-
Although he was expected to be the Lewis hopes to be the irst Demo- fect.
lone Democratic candidate and avoid a crat to hold Montana’s House seat since Rosendale, who moved to Montana,
primary contest, a surprise, 11th-hour Pat Williams, who retired in early 1997. has been criticized because he is a trans-
decision by Driscoll to ile as a candidate Since then, three Republicans have held plant from Maryland, though he has cur-
shifted the political landscape.
the seat – Rick Hill, Denny Rehberg and ried favor from conservative groups and
In a rare and weighty move, the Mon- now Daines.
Tea Party Republicans, receiving an en-

www.ThreeRiversBankMontana.com
tana Democratic Party endorsed Lewis, Williams, the patriarch of Montana dorsement from the Tea Party Express.
www.T
who has also earned endorsements from
Democrats, has also endorsed Lewis.
[email protected]