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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Democrat, Republican Join Montana U.S. House Race

Graphic: Montana Public Radio News, Politics

A Democrat and Republican have joined the race for Montana’s new U.S. House seat. It’s the first time in 30 years the state will send two representatives to Congress. 

Republican Al Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon from the Flathead Valley, was a state lawmaker for three sessions. He’s run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate and the Montana governor’s office. 

Democratic Rep. Laurie Bishop, director of the Montana Afterschool Alliance from Livingston, has also been a lawmaker for three sessions. 

The candidates join former Republican congressman and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke in the race for Montana’s new Congressional seat. The district they’re vying to represent has yet to be drawn. 

Montanans will elect two representatives in 2022 to serve in the U.S. House for the first time in decades. The state gained a seat after seeing a 10% increase in population over the last 10 years. 

Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale is the state’s current lone representative. 

Shaylee covers state government and politics for Montana Public Radio. Please share tips, questions and concerns at 406-539-1677 or shaylee.ragar@mso.umt.edu.  
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