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Former US Congressman Announces Candidacy for Governor 2012

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Nov 8, 2010 at 6:31 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 8, 2010 at 6:34 PM MDT

Elections may be over but some have their sights set on 2012 already. Governor Schweitzer's time is coming to an end due to term limits, leaving both spots on the ballot open. A former U.S. Congressman announced plans that could wind him up on that ballot in four years.

"I believe I’m ready to do this job, I understand the issues. I have a vision for Montana and its future…" says Rick Hill.

Republican Rick Hill is definitely thinking about the future, as he announced his candidacy for Governor 2012 today. Serving as Montana’s sole U.S. Representative from 1997-200, Hill says his experience will enhance the change voters want to see. Hill adds, "I think my background, my training; my experience puts me in a place where I can help make Montana better, more jobs, more opportunities"

The former Congressman also wants to focus on improving Montana schools and reducing the drop-out rate.

"I believe the way to do that is to change the incentives so that way we're rewarding people that keep kids in school and make sure their achieving at the levels that we need to do that,” adds Hill.

Surrounded by family and friends at Marks Lumber Company in Clancy, Hill says "When I left public office ten years ago, I thought I was through with the policy debates, the campaigns and the interviews. I thought I would be spending my weekends playing with my grandchildren or on one of Montana's serene trout streams with a 5ft flyrod. But as I traveled around Montana, I quickly realized I couldn't stay away with so much at stake."

Hill joins two other Republicans who've announced they're running for Governor and after last week’s elections, conservatives say this is their time.

"There’s a huge wave of popular support out there for the idea of creating more jobs by taking advantage of Montana’s natural resources by improving our regulatory and our tax climate. People care about these things right now and it shows up in election results, it shows up in new candidates, it's a great time," says Bowen Greenwood, Montana Republican Party Executive Director.

While Hill still has two more years to campaign, he says he drew inspiration from the likes of Governor Schweitzer and Governor Stephens to enter the race early and is making it clear what he stands for.

"So make no mistake, what this administration will be about is this; taking down the barriers to good-paying jobs, two, schools that work, three, a government we can afford and four, protecting Montana from an overreaching Federal Government,” says Hill as he describes the pillars of his campaign.

Continuing his campaign efforts, Hill plans to have an electronic town meeting in Billings tonight, with over 18,000 Montana Republicans invited to participate.

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