HELENA, Mont. (AP) - A state senator from Great Falls is telling Republican leaders that he wants to run for Montana’s U.S. House seat when Ryan Zinke becomes President-elect Donald Trump’s Interior secretary.
Sen. Ed Buttrey released a statement Monday that he plans to seek the Republican Party’s nomination in a special election.
Buttrey is the first person to publicly state his or her intention of running to replace Zinke. Montana’s congressman last week accepted Trump’s offer of a cabinet post, but it is unclear when he will vacate his current office.
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When he does, Gov. Steve Bullock has between 85 and 100 days to call a special election to fill Zinke’s unexpired term.
Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians will each be able to nominate a candidate.
Zinke defeated Democrat Denise Juneau last month to win a second term.
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