Special Election Looms, Quist Seeks Dem Nomination

Following Montana U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke's decision to accept his appointment to Secretary of the Interior, Montanans have started throwing their hats in the ring to fill the Big Sky's sole seat in the House. Replacing Zinke requires a special election be held between 85 to 100 days following Zinke actually vacating his seat, which also requires him to be confirmed by the Senate. In the interim, an appointee by Governor Steve Bullock will fill the seat until the new elected Representative takes over.

All parties will again nominate candidates in conventions where the county-level committee members of each party will make the nominations to run in the election, the date for which will be set by Gov. Bullock following Zinke's departure.

Currently musician Rob Quist, member of the Mission Mountain Wood Band, has announced his intent to seek the Democratic Party nomination. "I have worked with our state government and many of our state's organizations and citizens to promote harmony, cooperation and a common vision for our state." Quist said in a press release adding, "I feel that I am uniquely qualified for this role because I have spent a lifetime traveling the state, working with and getting to know the concerns and the needs of my fellow Montanans."

Quist is a native of Cut Bank who hails from a ranching family, and has been a small business owner in the Flathead Valley hiring over 15 people throughout the years. Quist also served in multiple government committees, boards and councils throughout the years serving the arts, public instruction and as a Department of Commerce Ambassador to Kumamoto, Japan.

Currently the list of Democrats considering runs for Zinke's seat include Kelly McCarty of Billings, Amanda Curtis of Butte, and Casey Schreiner of Great Falls. Republicans considering running are state legislators Ed Buttrey of Great Falls, Daniel Zolnikov of Billings, and Scott Sales of Bozeman amongst others such as Gary Carlson, Bozeman businessman Eugene Graff IV and District Court Judge Russell Fagg of Billings.