The Missoulian - Missoula Woman Enters Montana's U.S. Senate Race

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The Missoulian - "Missoula Woman Enters Montana's U.S. Senate Race

A Missoula woman and political newcomer is the sixth Republican to jump into Montana's U.S. Senate race, vying to challenge incumbent Democrat Max Baucus.

Patty Lovaas, 55, a certified political accountant, said Tuesday she believes "the country could use a little fiscal management" and that her experience on tax issues and advising small businesses would be valuable in plotting a new course for the country.

Lovaas also rapped Baucus for accepting millions of dollars in special-interest money and representing large financial interests rather than the people of Montana.

"Who is he representing?" she said of Baucus. "I don't see the issues of Montana being addressed as they should be, by the representatives of Montana.

"I don't like the direction that the country is going, and I'm trying to make a statement and do my duty. This is a David-and-Goliath tale, but we need to send our government a message."

Lovaas, who moved to Montana in 1981, said it's her first run for political office here.

She joins five other Republicans already running for a chance to take on Baucus in the fall: Kirk Bushman, a facility designer from Billings; truck driver Shay Joshua Garnett of Billings; attorney Bob Kelleher of Butte; state Rep. Michael Lange of Billings; and truck driver and rancher Anton Pearson of St. Regis.

Candidates have until Thursday to file; the Republican Party primary election is June 3.

Baucus, 66, heavily favored in his run for a sixth consecutive six-year term, so far has no opposition in the Democratic primary election. He had raised $9 million in campaign funds as of Dec. 31.

Barrett Kaiser, spokesman for Baucus, said Tuesday that Baucus thinks there is too much money in politics and has voted for "every piece of real campaign-finance reform."

However, Baucus is not going to "unilaterally disarm" in a competitive race and is proud to get support from groups representing farmers, gun owners, educators and firefighters.

"The one and only yardstick Max uses is what's right for Montana," Kaiser said. "He comes to work every day and the first thing he sees is the sign on his desk which says �Montana comes first.' "

Lovaas said she got into the race because the field of Republican challengers looks pretty weak, and that she plans to campaign in western Montana on weekdays when she can and try to visit other towns on the weekends.

Lovaas said the country appears headed for a big financial downturn, with small businesses facing rising costs. The stimulus package passed by Congress, handing out $600 per taxpayer, isn't going to do much to help the economy, she said.

Instead, the government should take steps to help domestic production, rather than just give out money that may be used to buy goods from China, she said.

Lovaas also questioned the timing on the Iraq war, but said the United States has to stabilize the country before departing.

"Once we're in there, we can't just make a huge mess and run," she said.

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