We’re less than a month from the deadline (March 10) to file for office in Montana. The last few days leading up to March 10 should be interesting because there are almost always some surprises.

Two candidates, one Democrat and one Republican, for Montana’s U.S. House (at-large) seat have impressed me so far. These two candidates have separated themselves from the field – a field that will probably have more primary candidates than any other race in 2014.

Of course, we’re a long way from the June 3 primary, so anything can happen, but at this time I don’t think Montana could go wrong if either candidate was elected.

Democrat John Lewis has worried the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) so much that they created a fake web site to try and harm his campaign. They attempt to tie him to Obamacare because he worked for U.S. Senator Max Baucus. It will be an uphill battle for Lewis to separate himself from Obamacare. While I never cared for Baucus, he did hire some outstanding people who can win elections. Lewis is one of those people.

By the way, his actual website is montanansforlewis.com. Check it out to find his views on the issues.

I received the first campaign e-mail from the Lewis campaign way back in October, and I’ve been impressed with his campaign since that time. They have it together.

On the Republican side, I like the race that Ryan Zinke is running. While he kind of stepped in it with the Clinton “anti-Christ” remarks, his campaign seems to be clicking on all cylinders. The lefty bloggers have been frequently attacking him, so I think the left sees him as a threat.

The Zinke campaign has been keeping me informed by sending me updates via e-mail, and that I appreciate.

I’m a veteran and I like the fact that Zinke is a veteran. I think we need more veterans in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. I believe it would not be as screwed up as it is with more veterans serving.

Zinke’s website is located at ryanzinke.com. Check it out.

One problem I see with the Zinke Campaign is his possible ties to the Tea Party. Those alliances might help him in the primary, but could hinder him in a general election. Just as the right will attempt to portray Lewis as having helped Baucus write Obamacare, the left will attempt to portray Zinke as a card-carrying member of the Tea Party.

The candidates who make it to the general election matchup will need to draw votes from the center to become a U.S. Representative.

If Montanans have a John Lewis/Ryan Zinke matchup in November, it will make for an interesting race.

Montana candidates: Please add my e-mail, Western_Word@yahoo.com, to your press list and follow me on Twitter @TheWesternWord. I will follow you!

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