GOP candidates slated for Festival Days barbecue

With 52 days left until Election Day,  state and local Republican candidates will be in Havre Saturday, to introduce themselves to voters at the Hill County GOP Festival Day's Candidate Reception in Pepin Park.

"We (will) serve refreshments, then candidates talk and then people can interact and mingle with them," said Andrew Brekke, chair of the Hill County Republicans.

Brekke said that aside from 2014, the Hill County Republicans have hosted an event during Festival Days every election year for the past several election cycles to showcase the party's candidates.

Lesley Robinson, a Phillips County commissioner and the running mate of Republican candidate for governor Greg Gianforte, will headline the event. They face incumbent Democrat Steve Bullock and his lieutenant governor, Mike Cooney and Libertarian candidates Ted Dunlap and Ron Vandevender of Conner in November’s election.

Elsie Arntzen, a state senator from Billings and  the party’s candidate for superintendent of public instruction, will also be there.

Arntzen faces Democrat Melissa Romano of Helena in the general election.

Brekke said other statewide candidates might show up but have not yet notified him.

State legislative candidates from the area will speak as well, including state Rep. Stephanie Hess who is seeking a second term in House District 28 and facing Democrat Jacob Bachmeier, and state Rep. Bruce Meyers of Box Elder, who is vying for the seat in Senate District 16 and faces Democrat Frank Smith of Poplar in the race.

The lineup is part of what Brekke describes as a “phenomenal” slate of Republican candidates.

Although the presidential race dominates much of the political discussion, this year six of Montana’s eight statewide offices will be on the ballot.

Gianforte, a retired high-tech entrepreneur in his first political campaign, is seeking to deny Bullock a second term.  

“People are real engaged in that particular race,” Brekke said.

Brekke said the usual complaints about the length and tone of the campaign season have largely been confined to the contest for president thisyear. In state and local races, he said, people largely remain excited.

The reception is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m, after the Havre Festival Days parade and is open to the public.