Montana Governor Bullock looks at U.S.
Senate run, lifting Democratic hopes: source
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[March 06, 2020]
By Tim Reid
(Reuters) - Steve Bullock, the Democratic
governor of Montana and a former 2020 presidential candidate, is
seriously considering a U.S. Senate run, a decision that would give
Democrats another competitive race in their bid to reclaim the chamber
this November. |
Then-2020 Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Montana Governor Steve
Bullock speaks and answers audience questions during the Presidential
Gun Sense Forum in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., August 10, 2019.
REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File Photo |
Bullock, 53, a popular Democratic moderate and Montana governor
since 2013, has insisted for months he was not going to
challenge Republican Senator Steve Daines.
But "he is seriously reconsidering," according to a person
familiar with his thinking.
Bullock has until Monday to file the necessary paperwork to jump
into the race. A decision to challenge Daines would delight
Democratic leaders in Washington who are eager to attract
heavyweight recruits to try to wrest Senate control from
Republicans in November's elections.
An email to Bullock's office asking about his Senate ambitions
went unanswered.
Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the 100-seat Senate.
Democrats are hopeful of winning back four seats but worry about
a defeat in Alabama, making a competitive race in Montana all
the more urgent.
Democratic leaders have made concerted efforts to persuade
Bullock to launch a Senate bid. Chuck Schumer, the Senate
Democratic leader, visited Bullock in Montana last month.
Bullock is barred by term limits from seeking re-election as
governor in November.
(Reporting by Tim Reid in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Cooney)
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