One of the leading Republicans running for Montana’s lone U.S. House seat has officially filed his candidacy.
On Monday, State Auditor Matt Rosendale filed online with the Montana Secretary of State’s office from his home. He is one of a crowded field of candidates seeking to replace U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, who is running for governor.
Rosendale said he wants to focus on issues like health care costs, access to public lands and veterans’ needs. He said his record of accomplishments since becoming auditor in 2017 will set him apart from the other Republican candidates this year.
“While the federal government has racked up a $23 trillion debt, I’ve reduced my operating expenses by 23%,” he said. “I want to go to the United States Congress and make sure that we put them back to work, and I am proud to be representing the people of Montana to do so.”
Rosendale is the fourth Republican House candidate to officially file for the ballot, after rancher Joe Dooling of Helena, former Republican Party chair Debra Lamm of Livingston and electrician John Evankovich of Butte. Two other candidates – Secretary of State Corey Stapleton and Corvallis schools superintendent Tim Johnson – have also announced campaigns, but haven’t filed with the state yet.
Rosendale previously ran for U.S. House in 2014. In 2018, he was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. President Donald Trump, who visited the state four times in support of that campaign, endorsed Rosendale for House in a tweet earlier this month.
Two Democrats are currently running for U.S. House – 2018 nominee and former state Rep. Kathleen Williams of Bozeman and state Rep. Tom Winter of Missoula.
