Malta man files to raise money for Montana House bid

Republicans in Montana’s 33rd House District have at least one candidate looking to run to succeed state Rep. Mike Lang, R-Malta.

Lang, a two-term member of the state House, has opted not to run for re-election and instead make a bid for the State Senate seat held by John Brenden, R-Scobey, who is unable to run for re-election because of term limits.

Another individual, Michael Burns of Glasgow, filed the same paperwork in October 2015.

Casey James Knudsen of Malta, confirmed Thursday that he has filed a C-1, paperwork that under state law is required to legally raise money as a candidate for political office. The document said the paperwork was received by the office of the commissioner of political practices on Aug 28, 2015.

Knudsen, 25, said he was recruited to run for the house seat by Rep. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings.

Brenda Skornogoski, chair of the Hill County Democrats, said Democrats do not have any candidates she knows of looking to mount a bid in the heavily Republican district that spans from western Glasgow west to Wild Horse and includes portions of Blaine, Hill, Phillips and Valley counties.

Though he is not actively involved in the local party, Knudsen said he has been interested in politics “my entire life,” including as a teenager when he was involved with the student council at Malta High School.

Knudsen said his interest was sidelined in recent years, though, while working to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology with a minor in aerospace mechanical engineering technology from Montana State University in Bozeman. He graduated recently before moving back to Malta where he works on a cattle ranch owned and maintained by his family.

He is also involved with the Montana Stockgrowers Leadership Series, which trains aspiring ranchers.

Knudsen said he is very interested in property rights, especially as it relates to fish and game. But, should he be elected in November, he said his top priority will be familiarizing himself with the state’s lower legislative chamber.

The candidate said he has not done any fundraising yet.

“I’m mostly just trying to learn and expand my knowledge right now,” Knudsen said.