Lt. gov. candidate helps GOP open headquarters

A high-profile candidate from a nearby county headlined the opening of a new campaign headquarters for the Hill County Republican Party as lieutenant governor candidate Lesley Robinson of Phillips County joined local party faithful Thursday in Havre.

Local lawmakers and party activists crammed into the foyer of the retail space at the 700 Block of 1st Street in Havre just across from Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods.

Andrew Brekke, chair of the Hill County Republicans, told those in attendance that Robinson was one of a solid slate of candidates in November for offices at the state and local level.

Brekke said he is glad that Montana gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte tapped Robinson, a rancher from Zortman and two-term Phillips County commissioner, to be his running mate. He said the fact that Gianforte did so showed his commitment to the Hi-Line and it's rural communities.

Gianforte and Robinson will face off against first-term Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney in November.

The party signed a lease this spring with G&C Commodities LLC for the 3,000-square-foot space, which consists of six rooms and ample parking.

The facility will serve as a base for the party and campaigns across the Hi-Line. People can stop in to drop off donations, pick up campaign materials and register as voters, among other activities.

In June, the Hill County party hired Jessica Riffel, who has lived throughout Chouteau County, to be the party's part-time field organizer. She said the busy location has provided the party with good exposure.

"It's been really good. We get lots of traffic that stops in and just wants to say hi, see how it's going, a couple donations, people who want yard signs. So it's actually a really good location where people get to stop and visit," Riffel said.