Parties gearing up for special election

POLSON – After enduring one of the most grueling election cycles in recent memory, Montana voters may once again be inundated with campaign signs and political pitches with the state’s lone congressman likely to trade his post for a cabinet position under the new presidential administration.

“It’s going to be fast and furious,” Jayson Peters, chairman of the Flathead County Republican Central Committee, told members of the Lake County Pachyderm Club at a meeting last week.

As U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Montana, awaits confirmation as the U.S. Secretary of Interior under President Donald Trump, political committees are ramping up efforts to fill the void. Once Zinke is confirmed and accepts the position as he has indicated, the state will have 100 days to hold a special election and choose a replacement.

“This is really important. It’s all about political positioning for the future,” Peters said.

Several high-profile candidates have already announced their decision to seek their party’s nomination, notably former Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte and Democratic musician and art advocate, Rob Quist.

While GOP candidates performed strongly in state and national races during the Nov. 8 general election, Peters said there’s no room for complacency.

“You’ll need to put your campaign hats back on,” he said. “Just because we had a huge win, we can’t just think that we’ll be fine.”

Peters said Quist’s name recognition and deep Montana roots make him a formidable opponent.

“When I heard that he was running, I thought it was a brilliant move,” Peters said.

Craig McClure, chairman of the Lake County Democratic Central Committee, said he hopes his party can feed off the outcry generated by President Trump’s actions during his initial days in office.

“It’s really upset a lot of people,” McClure said. “I would think there’s a better chance that people will be motivated for changes.”

But no matter the draw of the candidate, both Peters and McClure acknowledged the challenge of compelling voters to turn out for a special election.

To attract attention, Peters said the GOP would be wise to draw endorsements from its big-name figures, possibly even enticing President Trump to make a Montana appearance.

“If he would make one visit, that would really help,” Peters said.

McClure said Democrats should take the results of the general election as a testament to the strength of grass-roots organization. In addition to the central committees, he said Democrats could also draw support from the numerous movements that have sprung up in response to the Trump administration.

“We’re going to have to do more community outreach,” he said. “I think here’s a lot of excitement and concern out there.”

While McClure admitted that he was looking forward to a break from campaigning, at least this race will only last a few months.

“I think all elections should be like that,” he said.