Gianforte, Robinson stump for governor seat in Havre

A day after publicly announcing her as his running mate in East Helena, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte appeared with Phillips County Commissioner Lesley Robinson in Havre Tuesday.

The pair came to North Central Montana for fundraisers. At noon, the duo attended a fundraiser before heading to Montana State University-Northern for a meeting with Chancellor Greg Kegel and then attending an event in Malta.

It was the third time Gianforte has come to Havre since declaring his candidacy in January. The millionaire hi-tech entrepreneur from Bozeman is seeking to unseat Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, in November.

Speaking at a fundraiser hosted by the Hill County Republicans at the Duck Inn Vineyard Room, Robinson said she was a bit surprised when she learned she was being considered for the job.

"Greg called me a few weeks ago." Robinson said. "I was not expecting that call."

Robinson who has been a Phillips County commissioner for 11 years, said that people have come up to her before telling her she should run for higher officer, but that she just never knew what that office would be.

Robinson said the first thing she did when offered the spot on the ticket, was ask what her role would be in a potential Gianforte administration "because I am not a sit-back-and-not-do-anything kind of person."

Gianforte said he chose Robinson, a fourth-generation Phillips County rancher and Malta native who has lived and ranched with her husband near Zortman, to be his running mate, because he thinks the needs of agricultural communities in Montana have not been part of the conversation in state government.

"I thought that rural Montana needed a seat at the table, and that is what Lesley is going to do for our administration," Gianforte said.

Robinson said such a voice is currently absent from the top levels of government in Helena.

"Right now, I don't think they are getting the people on the ground at the table listening to their concerns and how it's going to affect them when they make their decisions." she said.

Along with being a county commissioner, Robinson, has served in a number of positions with the National Association of Counties among other organizations, representing agriculture and county government.

She said she hopes to use her experience to foster closer ties between the state and governments at the county and municipal levels. She has also testified before the state legislature and the U.S Congress on issues related to endangered species and public lands.

"There's lots of things I can do and ag and government are two of my strong points, and I take that to the table," she said.

Robinson said that her husband, Jim, has been very supportive of her decision to run with Gianforte, despite the fact that if elected her job will mean moving to Helena, 300 miles from the county she has called home throughout her life.

"So it will be a change, but we both feel this will be the right place for me to be," she said.

Many attendees said they were excited to have a fellow Hi-Liner on the ticket.

"It is going to be fantastic," said Brad Lotton, financial chair of the Hill County Republicans. "We are finally getting some Eastern Montana representation down in Helena."

If elected, Robinson will be the first lieutenant governor from the Hi-Line since Malta native Karl Ohs, a Republican, was elected in 2000.