Tester (D) won't run for (Montana) governor in 2004 | Helena I-R

[Ediacara]

Tester won't run for governor in 2004

By The IR State Bureau - 07/31/03

HELENA — Senate Minority Leader Jon Tester, D-Big Sandy, said Wednesday he won't be a candidate for governor next year.

Although Tester had said during the 2003 legislative session he wouldn't be a candidate for governor, some Democrats in recent weeks urged him to look at it again. Tester said he reconsidered the possibility and concluded it wasn't right for him now.

‘‘The timing wasn't right,'' Tester said. ‘‘The problems and rigors of a campaign would have been very hard on my family and the farm.''

Tester, who turns 47 next month, has served in the Montana Senate since 1999. He was elected by Democrats as minority whip in 2001 and as minority leader in 2003. He is midway through his four-year term and will be able to return to the Senate in 2005.

More at the Helena Independant-Record

[mndemocrat_29]

1. GOVERNOR BRIAN SCHWEITZER

Brian Schweitzer will be the next governor of Montana!

[Ediacara]

2. I agree, although...

it depends heavily on the Republican nominee. If he is up against Martz, he'll win in a walk. If Martz loses the primary and he's up against Brown, it will be closer, but I still think he'll win.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

3. The big question is still who will challenge Rehberg

The big question is still who will challenge Rehberg.

We need a good candidate.

[Ediacara]

4. I agree

That IS the big question. Hopefully someone the party will back, unlike Steve Kelly :-(

Where in MT are you fean?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. Steve Kelly is a good example

Steve Kelly is a good example of a lesson learned for me. I could heartedly vote for him but he just wasn't a viable candidate. Fact is, I would rather go with a winner. We have just been electing too many Republicans for too long. Maybe the mismanagement of the state is getting obvious enough that things will turn around for us.

[Ediacara]

6. Kelly

could have gotten a higher percentage of the vote, had the party acted as though he was running. Especially with the Taylor debacle, the Republicans were vulnerable. I don't think Kelly could have won, but he could have gotten within striking distance.

[VoteClark]

7. Damn, where did all the Montanians come from! LOL

You guys must be half the Democrats in the state :)

[LuminousX]

9. Montana has always had a strong Democrat contingent

nt

[mndemocrat_29]

8. Nancy Keenan

Didn't Nancy Keenan get awfully close a couple of years ago? I'm generally against rerunning candidates, but if she could get momentum...

[whirlygigspin]

10. too bad

she's a fine person