Democrats have found a candidate to take on four-term Rep. Denny Rehberg (R). National Guard Lt. Col. Jim Hunt announced Tuesday that he would run for Montana’s lone House seat.

“Congressman Rehberg has been in Washington too long,” Hunt said. “He’s lost touch with Montana, and people all across our state are on the ‘Hunt for Change.’”

Yellowstone County Commissioner Bill Kennedy (D) was on track to become his party’s nominee until he withdrew from the race in mid-November, citing health concerns. Kennedy announced his bid way back in April 2007, leaving a void on the ballot for Democrats to fill until Hunt’s entrance into the race.

“Looks like the Democrats were scraping the bottom of the barrel after multiple candidates took a pass on running against Congressman Rehberg,” said National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Julie Shutley. “The reality is that Congressman Rehberg is an excellent representative for the people of Montana and will be easily re-elected this year.”

Democrats hold three of the state’s four top statewide offices: governor and both Senate seats. However, Montana consistently votes Republican in presidential contests and Rehberg has had smooth sailing to re-election in his most recent contests.
— Shira Toeplitz