Over a dozen Montanans have now put their names forward as possible replacements for Ryan Zinke's seat in the U.S. House. Here's a list of candidates in the running:
Republicans vying for Zinke's congressional seat:
- Ed Buttrey - State senator from Great Falls
- Greg Gianforte - Technology executive, 2016 Republican gubernatorial candidate
- Carl Glimm - State representative, home builder & volunteer firefighter
- Ken Miller - Former state senator, former state GOP chair, 2004, 2012 gubernatorial candidate
- Samuel Pascal Redfern - Iraq veteran and non-profit director
- Dean Rehbein - Road construction contractor
- Ed Walker - Former state senator, staffer for Conrad Burns
Republicans who have dropped out of consideration:
- Russell Fagg - District judge Russell Fagg said he won't seek the nomination
- Eugene Graf IV - Construction contractor
- Scott Sales - Sales, the state Senate president expressed interest, but removed his name for consideration last week
- Drew Turiano - Real estate investor, Tea Party activist, frequent candidate
- Daniel Zolnikov - Zolnikov announced on twitter that he won't seek the nomination
Democrats vying for Zinke's congressional seat:
- Amanda Curtis - State representative, teacher, and 2014 U.S. Senate candidate
- Kelly McCarthy - State representative and business consultant
- John Meyer - Bozeman attorney
- Lee "Link" Neimark - biologist, ski instructor
- Gary Stein - Teacher & 2008 candidate for state legislature
- Rob Quist - Musician
- Tom Weida - Retired businessman
- Dan West - Former-NASA policy analyst, former congressional aide
Democrats who have dropped out of consideration:
- Casey Schreiner says he will not seek the nomination
Libertarians vying for Zinke's congressional seat:
- Chris Colvin -Libertarian candidate for state representative, 2014
- Rufus Peace -
- James White - Owner and editor of NorthWest Liberty news
- Mark Wicks - Cattle rancher and author
Libertarians who have dropped out of consideration:
- Rick Breckenridge - Libertarian candidate for U.S. House, 2016
- Josiah Loven - Former chairman Yellowstone County Republican Central Committee
What's next? Democrats will hold a convention on March 5 in Helena to choose a nominee. The Libertarian convention is scheduled for March 6. Republicans will convene March 12 to choose their nominee.
Gov. Bullock has scheduled the special election for May 25.
Find more on Montana's special congressional election here.
