Keenan ends run for House

State senator from Bigfork will focus on GOP duties

Senate Minority Leader Bob Keenan has withdrawn from a race for a local House seat, saying he wants to concentrate on his responsibilities as chairman of the Flathead Republican Central Committee.

The Bigfork Republican's withdrawal the House District 9 race is expected to trigger a shift in other races. Rep. Bill Jones, House District 9 legislator, filed as a candidate in House District 8 to free up his seat for the candidacy of Keenan, who could not seek re-election in the Senate because of term limits.

Now Jones is expected to withdraw from the District 8 race to run as the incumbent in District 9.

Keenan's withdrawal closes a 12-year legislative career that started in the Montana House, shifting to the Senate, where he twice was elected Senate president.

"I think that given the challenges of being the Republican Party chairman in Flathead County, and those are considerable, I need to concentrate on getting many Republicans elected," he said.

Most legislative races in Flathead County have strong Republican candidates, presenting GOP voters with good choices, Keenan said.

"It's going really well," he said. "Other than one seat, we've got a number of primary contests, so there's tremendous interest. And that's a good thing. It's good to have so many primaries."

Looking back on his time in the Legislature, Keenan said he was most proud of steering the general fund budget through two of the worst deficits in history while passing tax cuts that led to fiscal recovery and a booming economy.

"The proof is in the pudding," Keenan said. "The policies that were enacted most definitely had an impact, and we're reaping the benefits of that now."

Keenan said he likely is giving up a strong prospect for a leadership position in the House.

"Legislators come and go, with or without term limits," he said. "I had an incredible experience and my family had a great time and learning experience."

Keenan had faced primary opposition in House District 9 from Republican David Carlson, who could be running against Jones, the incumbent. Edd Blackler has filed as a Democrat in the race.

Other recent entries into legislative races include Bill Baum, a Martin City Realtor who this week filed as a Democrat for the House District 3 seat held by Rep. Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse. Baum will face Democrat Doug Cordier in the June primary election.

The deadline for filing for all Montana races is March 23. Here's a rundown on the candidates who filed for other local legislative races:

-In House District 4, Erik Jerde, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Rep. Mike Jopek, D-Whitefish.

-In House District 5, Democrat Linda Jacquette is challenging incumbent Rep. George Everett, R-Evergreen.

-In House District 6, there will be a primary contest between Republicans Bill Beck and Harm Toren. Also in the race is Democrat James Scott Wheeler.

- In House District 7, Democrat Dale McGarvey is challenging incumbent Rep. Jon Sonju, R-Kalispell.

-In House District 8, Bill Jones and Keith Regier are Republican candidates, but Jones may withdraw to run in House District 9, for which he is the incumbent. Democrat Randy Kenyon is also in the House District 8 race.

-In House District 10, Republican Mark Blasdel will challenge incumbent Rep. Bernie Olson, R-Lakeside, in the June primary election. Also in the race is Democrat Steve Davidson.

-In House District 11, Democrat Denise Peterson is challenging incumbent Rep. Janna Taylor, R-Proctor.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com.