Hill leads fundraising, polls for GOP gubernatorial race

Rick Hill campaign photo(GREAT FALLS)- Rick Hill appears to be building steam in his final push to Montana's June Primary election and hopes of locking up the GOP nomination to run for governor this fall.

The Great Falls Tribune is reporting Hill now has a campaign war chest of more than $500,000, or about 5-times more than Corey Stapleton according to totals at the end of March. There are seven Republicans running for the seat being vacated by Gov. Brian Schweitzer. 

And Hill appears to be holding an edge with voters as well. Poll results released by Public Policy Polling last week showed the former Congressman the favorite among 33% of those surveyed. Ken Miller was a distant second with 12%. 

Hill has been on the stump around Montana since last winter, pressing campaign issues ranging from business promotion and development, cutting taxes and government "red tape" and promoting development of Montana's natural resources.