It’s the last day of July and the Montana Democrats have failed so far to attract the biggest names to run for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2014. That’s the seat currently occupied by Senator Max Baucus, who is retiring.

Former Governor Brian Schweitzer is taking a pass, State Auditor Monica Lindeen said nope, and now Stephanie Schriock, who is the President of Emily’s list, yesterday announced that she is not running.

Since everyone has probably played Monopoly, let me compare the game of Monopoly to the Montana Senate race. These three people deciding against running are like the Democrats just missed landing on Boardwalk, Park Place, and Pennsylvania Avenue. Realistically, they only have a couple people remaining who can be their North Carolina and Pacific Avenue – and maybe win the seat.

By the way, there are several Baltic and Mediterranean Avenue candidates – many of them serve in the state legislature. 

Of course if you’ve played Monopoly enough, you know you can win without those properties, but it’s more difficult.

The Republicans’ Boardwalk candidate is Steve Daines, who hasn’t decided which seat to run for in 2014, although most observers believe he will run for the U.S. Senate.

I had mentioned in an earlier column that Stephanie Schriock was one of the remaining candidates whom I favored. She could probably raise piles of cash. She also led Jon Tester to victory in 2006 as his campaign manager and became his Chief of Staff. She is from Butte America and knows Montana well.

Since Schriock said no, who is left for the Democrats with some statewide clout? Denise Juneau? Linda McCulloch? John Walsh? Steve Bullock? Lee Newspapers takes a look at some potential candidates in an article published today.

With several big name Democrats staying on the sideline, the 2014 Montana Senate race may end up putting us to sleep.

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