Dems Nominate Quist

In four rounds of voting, Montana’s Democratic Party selected folk musician Rob Quist to run on the Democratic ticket for Montana’s at-large U.S. House Seat. The convention held at the Great Northern Hotel in Helena, Mont., drew eight nominees. Quist ultimately defeated State Representative Amanda Curtis for the nomination in the final round of voting.

Quist is a long-time Montanan who grew up in Cut Bank and now lives in Flathead. He is also a founding member of the Mission Mountain Wood Band where he gained state-wide fame. Quist has never held elected office, but has served on the art council, as a cultural ambassador to Japan and as an advocate for the Montana Food Bank and anti-bullying campaigns with the Office of Public Instruction.

Quist said in his acceptance speech that he would support fixing the Affordable Care Act, funding education, opposing the transfer of public lands and women’s reproductive rights, including protecting funding for Planned Parenthood.

The special election was set by Governor Bullock for May 25 who was concerned that a delay would have negative consequences for Montana in the current legislative session.