Montana: Special Now Called

​Gov. Steve Bullock (D) wasted no time in scheduling the special congressional election, taking action immediately after Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Whitefish) resigned upon being confirmed as US Interior Secretary.  The at-large contest will be May 25th. 
 
Democrats are already caucusing in convention on Sunday to choose a special election nominee.  Among the candidates is state Rep. and 2014 US Senate nominee Amanda Curtis who is at least a nominal favorite to emerge from the convention.  Though, conventions often take a life of their own, so no one is ever secure until all of the votes are counted.  Republicans are on a slower track, but the state party chairman says their convention will be called “soon”.   Businessman Greg Gianforte, the party’ 2016 gubernatorial nominee who held Gov. Bullock to only a 50-46% win, is the early favorite for the Republican congressional nomination and to win the special election.