Gianforte to Run for Governor

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Greg GIanforte is running for the Republican nomination for Montana governor next year.

This will be the 58-year-old Bozeman businessman’s second gubernatorial campaign after losing to Democrat Steve Bullock in 2016 and his fourth statewide campaign in five years.

Campaign spokesman Dan Duffey said that Gianforte filed his paperwork Thursday with the state Commissioner of Political Practices after encouragement from residents across the state.

Gianforte plans to formally announce his run next week.

He will join an already crowded field of Republicans running for the open seat. Those contending to take back the office for the GOP for the first time since 2005 also include Attorney General Tim Fox, state Sen. Al Olszewski and Secretary of State Corey Stapleton.