U.S. Sen. Jon Tester has his first challenger in the 2018 Montana elections. Republican state Sen. Albert Olszewski said today he will run for Tester's seat.
Olszewski is an orthopedic surgeon who lives in Kalispell. He served one term in the state House from 2015-2017, and is in his first term in the state Senate.
Today, Chris Meagher, spokesman for the Montana Democratic Party, released the following statement on the announcement:
"Al Olszewski may be one of the most radical politicians in the state legislature, and his agenda would hurt Montana’s women and families. Montanans don't want politicians like Olszewski and the federal government getting between women and their doctors, and he's wrong for Montana."
No other Republican has yet emerged as a challenger to Tester, a two-term Democrat.
The state Republican Party had expected former U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke to take on Tester before President Donald Trump picked him to be Interior secretary.
Attorney General Tim Fox and State Auditor Matthew Rosendale are also considered possible candidates, though neither has made a decision yet.
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