The next couple of days will be very hot across Montana, but that will be nothing compared to how heated the political races will get between now and November 2012.

The Western Word (TWW) will be with you to enjoy the ride – and we’re here to provide some independent commentary about these races – and to be your destination for political information!

This week we take a look at U.S. Senate and House fundraising, a subpoena, a hearing, redistricting, partisanship and more! 

Rehberg Fundraising:

I’ve always said that Friday is the day to release news that you don’t really want people to see, like when you don’t raise as much money as your opponent in the U.S. Senate race.

Lee Newspapers reported that U.S. Senate candidate (and current Congressman) Denny Rehberg “raised $900,000 in the past three months for his heavyweight matchup with Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in 2012 – but he still trails the money race with Tester by a few hundred thousand.”

It’s a long way until November 2012.  The candidates will be checking under cushions and looking inside their washing machines for money to pay for this race.

Kavulla Subpoenaed:

The Great Falls Tribune and Lee Newspapers both reported that Montana Public Service Commission Chairman, Travis Kavulla, was served with a subpoena “Monday by the Edwards, Frickle and Culver law firm representing Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Supply.”  They “demand letters, memorandums, notes and emails referencing electricity supply or transmission…”

I can’t really write about Southern Montana Electric (SME) and the City of Great Falls’ Electric City Power with a straight face or not thinking about inserting a joke somewhere.  I can say many residents of Great Falls wish city officials would have scrutinized this electricity idea like they did the urban chicken issue…

One more thing, congratulations to the Electric City Weblog (ECW) for making it into the Great Falls Tribune story – I’m sure it pained the Tribune to give ECW some ink.

Fundraising for Democrat House Candidates:

Lee Newspapers reported that “State Rep. Franke Wilmer of Bozeman, the first candidate to jump in the race for open seat for U.S. House, has collected nearly $41,000 so far to lead her fellow Democrats, state Sen. Kim Gillan of Billings and City Council member Dave Strohmaier of Missoula.”

The Democrats have their best chance in years of winning this seat and have some strong candidates running.  Will Republican Steve Daines be the only GOPer in the race?  I’ve heard some rumblings…

Baucus to Hold Hearing:

We have not heard if Senator Max Baucus invited Congressman Denny Rehberg to his hearing, like Rehberg did for Baucus and Tester, but we do know there will be another hearing about the Yellowstone River oil spill on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

According to this press release, Rehberg is not on the witness list scheduled to testify, but neither is Sen. Jon Tester.

It’s comical to read and watch the jockeying going on between Rehberg, Baucus, and Tester in regards to the oil spill – as they tell us what they are doing to make things better.

Partisan Politics:

According to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, “Voters now see congressional Republicans as slightly more partisan than their Democratic counterparts and are more pessimistic about the overall level of partisanship in Washington, D.C. than they have been in nearly a year.”

You can read about the survey HERE.

Districting and Apportionment Commission:

The five member commission for legislative redistricting is already working on a plan to give their political parties the best chance to control the Montana House and Senate for the next decade.  Their plan goes into place for 2014.   It is normally contentious.

Here’s a story.

To get the latest updates and information follow Jack on Twitter @TheWesternWord.