Matt Rosendale fights fed control

There are a host of issues facing Montanas as they head to the polls this year, said Matt Rosendale, who is running for Congress.

But most of them boil down to one particular problem, he told a handfull of supporters in Havre Tuesday night. There is an overreach of federal authority into state issues.

Rosendale held a meet-and-greet with supporters at Wolfer's Diner in downtown Havre.

He and liked-minded people in 10 other states are trying to convince the federal government to give land owned by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to the states.

Under state control, he argued, the lands would be used better for recreation and resource development.

His belief in federal overreach was highlighted in his new commercials that are gaining state and even nationwide attention.

In the TV ads, Rosendale is shown shooting down an unmanned drone with a hunting rifle.

"It is a metaphor for federal overreach," he told his supporters.

Rosendale said his campaign has received widespread support from around Montana. Fifty fellow state legislators have backed his candidacy, including Rep. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, who was at Tuesday's meet-and-greet.

Former U.S. Rep. Ron Marlenee, a Republican who represented eastern Montana back in the days the state had two congressmen, was supposed to attend the Havre meeting, but he was laid up with the flu. So he spoke to the crowd by telephone, urging people to support Rosendale.

"Matt Rosendale is a revenue generator, not a revenue taker," Marlenee said.

Various crowd members said they supported Rosendale for his stands on the issues.

Ed Matter, a longtime conservative Republican activist, was concerned that one of Rosendale's chief opponents, former state Sen. Ryan Zinke of Whitefish was pro-abortion.

Rosendale said the advantage voters have in the June 5 Republican primary is that the main candidates all have served in the state Senate and have voting records.

"People can just look at the records and compare," he said.

In talking to reporters after the meeting, Rosendale predicted he would win the primary and go on to defeat the Democratic nominee, who will be chosen in the primary, in the fall election.

He said Republicans won't have to pound the anti-Obamacare drum in the primary because the voters will do it for them.

He said everywhere he goes he hears from business people who who have provided health insurance coverage to employees and fear they will no longer be able to.

And consumers are seeing cancellations and hefty price increases because of Obamacare, he said.

Rosendale also spoke in favor of local GOP candidates, including Stephanie Hess, who is opposing Democrat Janet Tretheway for the state House.

"If you don't like the mess, vote for Hess," he said.

Hess laughed, but said she probably wouldn't use that for her campaign slogan.

Matt Rosendale

Party: Republican

Hometown: Glendive

Political history: He was elected to the Montana House in 2010 and to the Montana Senate in 2012.

Opponents: He will face Elsie Arntzen, Corey Stapleton, Drew Turiano and Ryan Zinke in the June 5 GOP primary. The winner will face the winner of the John Driscoll vs. John Lewis Democratic primary and Libertarian Mike Fellows in the November general election.