Kalispell mayor will run for State Senate seat

(KALISPELL)- Kallispell Mayor Tammi Fisher had already announced she wouldn't be running for re-election to a second term this fall. But that doesn't mean her name won't be on the ballot. 

Fisher announced Wednesday that she intends to run for Senate District 4 this fall, the seat presently held by fellow Republican Jon Sonju. Fisher told The Flathead Beacon she's running because Sonju won't be seeking re-election, although he yet confirmed that news. 

Re-districting is changing the boundaries on that position, which will now encompass all of downtown Kalispell. 

Fisher told the Beacon the position will allow her to continue to serve the public from her "base" representing the residents of Kalispell. 

Missoula lawmaker to announce U.S. Senate bid

(MISSOULA)- The Republicans are starting to line up for a chance to unseat Senator Max Baucus' expected bid for another term next year, with a Missoula lawmaker about to become the second GOP candidate for the race. 

Rep. Champ Edmunds, who currently represents the 100th District in the Missoula area, announced Tuesday evening he'll hold a press conference the end of the week to kick off his campaign for the Senate seat Baucus has held since 1978.

Edmunds is a 10-year Navy veteran who served in the Submarine Corp from 1984 to 1994. After leaving the service Edmunds got his degree from the University of Montana and works most of the year at Wells Fargo bank.

As a lawmaker, Edmunds was first elected in 2010, and then won his second term last fall. In the House he serves on the Appropriations Committee. There had been talk for several weeks that Edmunds might run for the Senate. His press conference with the formal announcement is set for 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Bitterroot Motors. 

Edmunds will join fellow Republican Corey Stapleton of Billings, who formally entered the race earlier this month. 

Bullock takes over as Montana Governor

Bullock takes his oath of office Monday morning- photo by Amy Sisk Community News Service (HELENA)- Saying he's "humbled" by the assignment, Steve Bullock has taken over the keys to the State of Montana, being sworn in Monday morning as the state's 24th governor. 

Bullock, along with his new Lt. Gov. John Walsh joined the state's other top elected officials in taking their oaths of office on the capitol steps, kicking off a busy week with the start of the new legislative session in Helena.

Bullock replaces Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat who was well-known for his run-ins with Republican lawmakers during his year as Montana's chief executive. But Bullock sounded a note of bi-partisan ship during his remarks, pledging to work with GOP lawmakers "regardless" of their political parties. 

Bullock comes to the new assignment having worked his way through the ranks of government from the legal side of operations, ending in his election as Montana Attorney General 4-years ago. 

Tester begins second term

(WASHINGTON, D.C.)- Fresh off a hard-fought and vicious re-election battle, Senator Jon Tester started his second term in Congress Thursday, pledging to work for "bipartisan solutions" to the country's problems.

Tester won a second term with a year long battle against Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg, managing to pull out a victory by capturing the state's most populated counties.

Tester joined 35-senators taking the oath of office from Vice President Joe Biden Thursday, saying he wants to work on ways to cut government debt and spending, which providing more certainity for Montana's businesses to create jobs and boost the state's economy. 

“Every Montanan is part of this job,” Tester said in a prepared statement.  “And working together, we have a lot of work to do to responsibly cut debt and spending, and to create jobs and certainty.  I’m excited about the years ahead because they’re full of opportunity for Montana, and I look forward to working with all Montanans.”

Tester, first elected to the Senate in 2006, is a third-generation farmer and former teacher from Big Sandy. He has served on the Veterans’ Affairs, Homeland Security, Indian Affairs, Banking and Appropriations Committees.  He is also the Chairman of the Economic Policy subcommittee.

Bullock will be next Montana governor

(HELENA)- His lead shrank somewhat as the votes trickled in throughout the early morning hours Wednesday, but in the end Democrat Steve Bullock's was still able to claim victory in Montana's gubernatorial race. 

Bullock had lead the early voting by as much as 10-points. And Republican Rick Hill made a race of it during the mid-morning counts, eventually drawing with a point-and-a-half. But Hill's attempt to convert his experience as a Congressman into the governor's mansion simply ran out of ballots, letting Bullock claim victory with 48.8% of the vote by early afternoon. 

Bullock called the win a victory for "hand-working Montanans", saying their "voices had been heard." 

“I want to congratulate Steve Bullock on his election and I wish him and his running mate John Walsh the best," Hill said in a prepared statement. "Both are dedicated public servants, and I know that they will do their best to make the right decisions for Montana."