Democrat Tom Winter filed Thursday night to run for Montana’s sole U.S. House seat, becoming the second Democrat and seventh candidate overall in the crowded race.
And, another candidate for the U.S. House – Republican Secretary of State Corey Stapleton – also is expected to file before the Monday deadline.
Winter filed online from his home in Missoula and said he’s the only candidate with a comprehensive set of policy proposals, including universal child care, health care for all and action on climate change.
“I have only one litmus test as a state legislator: Does this help Montana’s working families?” he said. “As Montana’s congressman, that’s who I will fight for. … I think people are tired of big money dictating our politics and getting us stuck with the same candidates we’ve already rejected numerous times.”
Winter is challenging former state Rep. Kathleen Williams in the Democratic primary.
Williams was the Democratic nominee for this seat in 2018, losing to Republican incumbent Greg Gianforte. The seat this year is open, because Gianforte is running for governor.
Six Republicans are competing for the GOP nomination for U.S. House: Stapleton, Helena farmer-rancher Joe Dooling, John Evankovich of Butte, former state GOP Chair Debra Lamm of Livingston, retired National Guard officer Mark McGinley of Dillon and state Auditor Matt Rosendale.
The primary election is June 2.
