Do you think Tim Fox wishes he had run for Senate in 2018?

[MT Treasurer]

As overrated as Fox can be, I must admit that I almost feel a little sorry for him. The man obviously likes to play it safe, but after declining a run for governor in 2012, House/Senate in 2014, governor in 2016, and most notably Senate in 2018 two weeks after Gianforte's victory in the special election and infamous body slam, it looks like he’s played it a little too safe. Unlike this year, he would have been guaranteed the R nomination in 2018, and I remember predicting that Fox could be in for an unpleasant surprise if he thought the path to the governor's mansion would be much easier for him. Well, apparently he thought otherwise:

Republicans had been confident Fox would run against Tester in a state Trump won by more than 20 points in 2016. But Fox is also known to be interested in running for governor, and Montana Republicans said that became more likely after Rep.-elect Greg Gianforte was charged with assaulting a reporter shortly before his election victory last month. Gianforte, a wealthy tech executive, had been the Montana GOP's gubernatorial candidate in 2016.

"This all changed post-bodyslam," said a D.C. Republican, who questioned Fox's decision to delay a run for higher office, noting Gianforte could rebuild his reputation over the next three years.

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/02/tim-fox-jon-tester-montana-senate-2018-race-239075

[TrendsareUsuallyReal]

Seems like a classic case of not striking when the iron was hot. See Christie 2012

[MT Treasurer]

Seems like a classic case of not striking when the iron was hot. See Christie 2012

It makes even less sense when you consider that he could have run for Senate without resigning his AG office. Sure, he could have lost the general (I think it would have been really close, but the NRSC would have taken the race a lot more seriously with Fox as the nominee), but Gianforte staged a successful comeback a few months after his first loss, and Rosendale looks like he’ll be Representative in 2021. Now it’s probably more likely than not that Fox gets shut out of the governor's mansion and the Senate.

I just can’t help but notice the irony if Rosendale and Gianforte both win in November and the most  hyped up candidate who has been touted as the most electable Republican or even Gov.-elect for years now doesn’t even advance to the general election (although it’s not a sure thing yet).

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

looks like he wanted to be as clever as a fox but he wound up being too clever by half.

[Heir of Camelot]

I wouldn't count Fox out just yet.

My well informed sources in Helena tell me that Republican officials and leaders in MT absolutely loathe Gianforte. He's a total prick by all accounts, even to his own party, quick to anger, arrogant, self-righteous etc. 

He could still buy the nomination and the Governor's mansion obviously but I think we'll start seeing some internal under the radar moves to get Fox the nomination instead. Fox is much more liked. Montanan's tend to be more moderate and GG has some absolutely nutty ideas about things.

I've talked to several Republican voters recently who prefer Fox as well but again, Gianforte is a billionaire and absolutely ruthless so who knows. God help us if he succeeds. He'd turn Montana into Idaho.

[MT Treasurer]

Bumping this now that Fox has lost (badly). Any further thoughts?

[WD]

I think Fox could of beaten tester in 2018. He seems like a decent candidate, maybe he’ll run in 2024

[TiltsAreUnderrated]

Corey Stapleton has also met a similar fate, having been set aside for Maryland Matt. The MT GOP doesn't seem to be intimidated by their candidates having recently lost to Democrats.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

The problem for MT Rs is Daines, he doesn't show himself to continuents, and its affecting the Senate race and the Gov race in 2020 and letting McConnell run his campaign. That's why Cooney has a chance, still in a Lean R Gov race before Bullock's entry.

Even Parsons isn't that visible to voters, that's why Galloway isnt being smoked in MO. MT, MO and NC in a landslide will go D for Gov due to lackluster Parsons and Daines and Forest

[Heir of Camelot]

Yeah Fox does indeed seem completely screwed. He's kind of a throwback to an earlier era of Republican. He's a fish out of water in Trump's GOP. Whereas Gianforte is basically another Trump.

I remember in '17 folks in Helena talked about Fox as governor like it was inevitable. I don't see that happening now, unless he runs against Cooney in '24. Which is theoretically possible. He could also theoretically run against Bullock in '26. In both cases he'd be running against incumbents.

I've heard he has some health issues as well. Gianforte's wife was doing a whisper campaign about it during the primaries. So he might just be Donesville.

[RussFeingoldWasRobbed]

Fox would have beaten Tester in 2018

[UncleSam]

Yep, can’t play it this safe in politics. Two years is a long time. Do feel a bit badly in that he seems better than an average R (or at least better than Gianforte), but not overly so.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Tim Fox had an ace card but he held out on playing it too long, now everyone else has a better poker card deck than he does.