As expected, Montana Senate President John Tester (D) announced his challenge to Sen. Conrad Burns (R) on Wednesday.
From the
Billings Gazette:
Tester, who was Senate president in the 2005 Legislature, stressed his leadership role in becoming the third announced contender for the Democratic nomination. State Auditor John Morrison made it official in late April and Clint Wilkes, a political unknown from Bozeman, said earlier this month he will run.
Tester planned stops in Bozeman, Butte, Missoula, Helena and Great Falls during a three-day campaign trip this week. He kicked off his bid at a gas station in Billings, with members of his family and others, in front of a farm truck bearing his name and declaring on the back: "You're behind the right guy!"
He said he realizes he's got a long road ahead of him but that he believes Burns is very vulnerable. Tester said he plans to do a lot of listening, meet as many people as possible and raise money. He also plans to discuss issues surrounding agriculture, the middle class and small business.
Despite Morrison's four years as a statewide official and a record of successful statewide campaigns, Tester said Tuesday he has an edge over the Helena lawyer. "My leadership skills and ability to get things done, I don't know if John has proved that out," he said.
