U.S. House race: Democrat Moss announces bid to unseat Gianforte
(Last Best News) Lynda Moss, a former Democratic state senator from Billings, announced on Wednesday that she plans to be a candidate for Montana’s only congressional seat.
In a press release, Moss said she will officially announce her candidacy this Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Toucan Gallery, 2505 Montana Ave.
She would join four other Democrats already seeking the nomination to try to unseat first-term Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte, who won a special election last May after Rep. Ryan Zinke was named by President Trump to head the Interior Department.
The four other Democrats already in the race are John Heenan, a Billings lawyer who was first to announce his candidacy; Grant Kier, of Missoula, the former director of Five Valleys Land Trust; Tom Woods, a member of the Montana House from Bozeman; and three-term state legislator Kathleen Williams, also from Bozeman. (Editor's note: The previous two paragraphs were updated to include Williams, who was not mentioned in the original version of this story.)
“I am proud to run for this important position and would be honored to continue my life-long public service by representing Montana in the United States Congress,” Moss said in her release. “I have the vision, passion and commitment required to be a strong voice for all Montanans. My service includes working with non-profits, foundations, policy makers, businesses, government agencies and communities.
“As we face challenges of budget cuts, extreme polarization and the influence of money in politics, Montanans are demanding positive change. I will work hard to protect families, workers, women, children, seniors and the most vulnerable in our communities from predatory, harmful efforts that benefit only those at the top.”
Moss represented District 26 for two terms, from 2004 to 2012, and she was the majority whip in 2007. She ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Montana Public Service Commission in 2012.
Her work experience, again according to the press release, includes serving as the executive director of the Western Heritage Center. She has worked in philanthropy and established a consulting business and is now vice chair of the Northwest Area Foundation. She is also a board member on the American Craft Council and the Montana State Fund.
During her campaign, Moss said, she intends to travel across the state, “visiting communities, businesses and community organizations.”
“I will be listening and learning from people, seeking ideas and input about federal policies critical to Montana,” she said. “I believe our connections are stronger than our differences and by working together from the grass roots up, Montana communities will prosper and our young people will thrive.”