Candidate names Kalispell man as running mate

HELENA (AP) — Republican candidate for governor Bob Fanning, seeking out the conservative ground in a crowded field, said Tuesday he is tapping ex-Constitution Party presidential candidate Chuck Baldwin from Kalispell as his running mate.

Fanning, a political newcomer from Pray who has been active in the opposition to wolves, is one of nine Republicans seeking the GOP nomination to replace term-limited Gov. Brian Schweitzer. Fanning said Baldwin has agreed to run as his lieutenant governor.

Baldwin in 2008 was the Constitution Party’s candidate for president, except in Montana where the state party instead nominated Ron Paul. The Baptist minister from Florida moved to Montana in 2010 and soon after announced an interest in state politics.

Fanning and Baldwin advocate a conservative platform they say is based on the Constitution, such as calling for nullifying federal laws viewed as objectionable, like the federal health care law that has been a popular target for Republicans. They also call for legislation they say “protects the life of unborn babies,” although Fanning didn’t say in a Tuesday interview whether that would go so far as to include a ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest.

The campaign’s call to assert state rights even extends to medical marijuana, arguing Montanans have called for its medical use and “Montana has the right to govern itself involving the use of medical marijuana.”

Former congressman Rick Hill of Helena has so far been leading the Republican primary field in fundraising by a fairly large margin. But he has also so far been unable to solidify support of the party’s various wings as more and more candidates join the race.

Others in the race include Sen. Jeff Essmann, a Billings lawmaker perhaps best known for leading the Legislature’s crackdown on medical marijuana; former state Sen. Ken Miller, a candidate from Laurel who also is seeking support from social conservatives and the tea party; former state Sen. Corey Stapleton, of Billings; and former Washington D.C.-based international security consultant Neil Livingstone, who is seen as a moderate in the race.

Also in race is Drew Turiano, a real estate investor and former science fiction author who moved to Montana in 2006. He is seeking out the conservative ground in the field as well with a call to ban all abortion without exception and to end all immigration to the country.

The other Republicans running are Schweitzer’s former Department of Transportation director Jim Lynch and Chouteau County Commissioner Jim O’Hara.

Fanning said he thinks bringing Baldwin on board will bolster his candidacy.

“It is a great benefit to my candidacy and to his future political aspirations, if he has any,” Fanning said. “It is about time the people of Montana got a government they can trust.”

Baldwin said he was persuaded to run as lieutenant governor because Fanning will make a “tremendous gubernatorial candidate.”

Baldwin has recently been very critical of the state’s leading Republican, U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg. But Baldwin said he thinks the Montana Republican Party will embrace his candidacy.

“I think in this state, the Republican Party is comprised of many, many constitutional conservatives and I think they will be attracted to our campaign,” Baldwin said.

On the Democratic side, Attorney General Steve Bullock is seen by many as the front-runner despite a challenge from state Sen. Larry Jent, of Bozeman.