Democrats Eye Baucus Aide for House Seat #MTAL

By Abby Livingston

Posted July 17, 2013 at 6:03pm

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is eyeing Sen. Max Baucus’ state director to run for Montana’s at-large seat.

John Lewis, a top aide to the Montana Democrat, has met with DCCC Chairman Steve Israel to discuss a campaign, according to two Democratic sources.

Baucus is retiring, and the at-large seat’s current member, GOP Rep. Steve Daines, is seriously thinking about running for his Senate seat. The House race is currently rated Safe Republican by the Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.

If Daines runs, Democrats could see opportunity in the Big Sky state’s sole House seat.

Lewis’ meeting with Israel lasted “almost an hour,” according to a Montana source close to Lewis. Lewis also met with five other members of Congress, but the source declined to give names.

“For John, it will come down to whether or not this is the right fit for him and his family,” said the source. “He is strongly considering a run and if he does, he will be a very formidable candidate.”

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Early this year, The Billings Gazette profiled Lewis and his travels to all 56 Montana counties. If he opted to run, he would not be the first recent Capitol Hill staffer to run for public office.

Lewis has also been mentioned by Democrats as a possible candidate for Baucus’ Senate seat, according to a local report.