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The Futures Market: Montana

February 21, 2006 12:21 PM | | Comments (2) |

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What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives.

Maybe the Mountain West Dem really is the party's path back to victory. While Dems have had a fantastic run of success in MT lately -- tying the House and re-taking the Sen and Gov mansion -- the best may be yet to come. Dems are enthusiastic about both major candidates running against embattled Sen. Conrad Burns (R) and even have good things to say about Rep. Dennis Rehberg's (R) challenger, though that's probably a little too optimistic. GOPers have several 20-something Sens with a lot of potential, but sources we talked to seem to believe that they'll have a hard time taking back the legislature within the next few years. [REID WILSON]

The stars we've been watching since '03:

  • State Sen. John Brueggeman (R): After meeting him as a State Rep., we followed the youngest GOPer to the upper chamber. "Most people would consider him somebody that would run down the road."

  • State Sen. Duane Grimes (R): After losing a bid for State Auditor, he's considering a repeat bid in '08 when the seat comes open thanks to term limits. He'll be term-limited out of the State Sen in '06.

  • Ex-Natural Resources Policy Dir. Todd O'Hair (R): After losing a bid for Sec/State in '04, he's now starting a family but may be a candidate down the road.

  • State Rep. Alan Olson (R): The leader of the MT GOP's energy policy, he's seen as a potential candidate for leadership next session.

  • State Sen. Cory Stapleton (R): The chair of the Sen GOP's campaign cmte, people see him moving up the ranks. Has "a really solid base" which gives him the potential to go places. Someone GOPers go to when they need votes whipped.

  • Ex-State Rep. Cindy Younkin (R): Lost a bid for Supreme Court in '04 but is considered a viable candidate for AG in '08.

  • State Rep. Carol Juneau (D): The chair of the American Indian caucus in the House, Juneau is term-limited this year. She's a member of the Blackfoot tribe and is running against a member of the Salish Kootenai tribe for a State Sen seat that covers both reservations.

  • Hill Co. Commiss. Doug Kaercher (D): Pres of MT Assoc of Counties, a "pretty prominent position in MT," "I would rank Doug among the up and comers."

  • State Rep. Monica Lindeen (D): Running against Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R). "Given the kind of year it is, she would have an outside chance" to knock him off. She's "someone who's not scared of a little hard work."

  • Dept of Natural Resources and Conservation Dir. Mary Sexton (D): The former Teton Co. Commis. lost a bid for LG in the '04 primary but was appointed by Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) to the statewide post.

  • State Sen. Pres. Jon Tester (D): The underdog in the race against Sen. Conrad Burns (R). Some "think he would be the better candidate in the general election," but doubt he'll survive the primary.

  • Billings Mayor Charles Tooley (D): Decided not to run for re-election in '05 and passed on a bid for State Legislature. Most agree that he's done with politics, at least for a while.

    • And the stars to watch in the future:

    • Rehberg CoS Erik Iverson (R): He's seen as a possible candidate to replace his boss when the time comes. Had experience as an ex-aide to Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and was CoS by his late 20's.

    • Sen Min Leader Bob Keenan (R): He's reached his Sen term limits and is running for the State House, but he "would be an awesome candidate for higher office."

    • State Rep. Jon Sonju (R): At 27 years old, he received 70% of the vote in his first term. A "young star" who is "hopefully going to lead our party back to the majority."

    • State Rep. Roy Brown (R): The House Maj leader until GOPers lost the majority in '04. He's reached his term limits and is running for State Sen in '06.

    • State Rep. John Parker (D): A county atty and the House Maj. Whip, he's thought to be "likely to move up in leadership." Parker is also reportedly considering a bid for AG in '08.

    • State Rep. Dave Wanzenried (D): Running for State Sen, the House Dem floor leader "will be involved for a long time." "Probably the most capable" Dem "in the legislature."

    • Lewis and Clark Co. Commiss. Ed Tinsley (D): MT's DNC Committeeman and a firefighter, people "don't know if he has the ambition to run for higher office, but he would be a good candidate for something." His band in which he plays guitar is reportedly very good.

    • State Sen. Mike Wheat (D): The State Sen. Dem whip and chair of the Sen Jud Cmte, he's very likely to be Maj Leader in '06. A personal injury atty in private practice, he's called "extremely capable" and is considering a possible AG bid.

    2 Comments

    Sorry, but what is kimerikas?

    Jane.

    sweeta-jf | March 27, 2008 2:09 AM

    Sorry, but what is kimerikas?

    Jane.

    sweeta-jf | March 27, 2008 2:09 AM