Bullock to headline Democratic dinner

Gov. Steve Bullock will headline the Hill County Democratic Party’s annual Pasma-Peck dinner Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Eagles Club in Havre.

The dinner, named in honor of former State Rep. Ray Peck, D-Havre, and longtime party chair Jim Pasma, serves as the county party’s primary fundraiser.

Those in attendance will dine on prime rib. The admission will be $35 for adults and $15 for those 18 and under. The event begins at 6 p.m.

Bullock is scheduled to arrive at the fundraiser following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m. that day to mark the opening of the renovated Hillview Apartments in Havre at 1280 10th St. W. Festivities which include music, food and a tour of the new facilities will begin at 2:30 p.m.

In keeping with tradition, there will be a silent auction at the Democrats’ dinner as well as a so-called “Republican auction,” where many people put money in but few people actually walk away with anything. Pasma joked that it reflected the Republican Party’s economic plan.

Unlike in recent years, the dinner wasn’t held during Festival Days weekend.

“We’re trying it on a weekday, to see if that increases attendance,” said Karen Datko, secretary for the county Democratic Party who said rescheduling might allow people to attend the event without interfering with their weekend plans.

In recent years, the number of those going to the dinner has declined. For example, Datko said only 40 to 50 people attended last year’s dinner. After expenses, the money raised came to only $960.

Debi Friede, a former county chair who is still active on the local scene, said that the lack of statewide races may account for last year's sparse attendance. However, with a presidential election upcoming and Bullock, a popular first-term Democratic governor, and a slate of open statewide executive positions on the ballot next year, she says she is much more optimistic.

Bullock, 51, built his career as an attorney in private practice and in the Montana Justice Department. In 2008, he won a race for state attorney general. In 2012, he eked out a 7,571 vote victory in the governor’s race over former U.S. Rep. Rick Hill.

Now, after a first term that has been marked by consistent high approval ratings and the support of some Republicans on items such as Medicaid expansion and campaign finance reform, Bullock is seeking a second term.

Brad Johnson, former Montana secretary of state and current chair of the state Public Service Commission, is the only Republican who has officially entered the race. Greg Gianforte, founder of RightNow Technologies and a conservative political activist from Bozeman, said he is mulling a potential bid.

All Democrats announced as candidates for statwide office were invited, but auditor candidate Jesse Laslovich of Anaconda is the only one who has indicated he will attend. Laslovich, 34, came onto the political scene at the age of 19 when he was elected to the Montana House of Representatives. After two terms he won a term in the Montana Senate where he served until 2010 when he became chief legal counsel to Montana state auditor Monica Lindeen.

In 2012, Laslovich made an unsuccessful primary bid for attorney general, and has since continued his work as an adviser to Lindeen. He is now running to succeed Lindeen, who is barred from seeking a third term due to term limits and is instead running for secretary of state.

So far, former State Rep. Champ Edmunds of Missoula, is the only Republican so far who has officially launched a campaign to challenge Laslovich in the general election.