Gianforte Seeks Republican Nomination for U.S. House Seat

Recent gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte has confirmed that he will seek the Republican nomination for the upcoming special election to fill Montana’s sole U.S. House seat. This position is expected to be vacant due to Congressman Ryan Zinke’s nomination as Secretary of Interior. Gianforte wrote in an email to the state’s Republican Party central committee, “I decided to undertake this challenge because you deserve to have your voice heard and a champion who will always be on Montana’s side.”

Gianforte paid the $1,740 filing fee on Jan. 25 and is in the running to be considered in a special nominating convention if Zinke vacates his seat. Others currently seeking the nomination in the Republican party are Senator Ed Buttrey, former senator Ken Miller, and Missoula contractor Dean Rehbein. On the other side of the aisle, the Democratic Party is considering Rob Quist of Kalispell, Butte’s Amanda Curtis, and East Helena’s Drew Turiano, who ran against Zinke in 2014.