Democratic candidate John Bohlinger says Harry Reid wants him out

politico.com ^ | 11/12/13 | Emily Schultheis and Elizabeth Titus

[cotton1706]

Former Montana Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger just jumped in the Montana Senate race last week – but he says national Democrats are already trying to push him out.

Foremost among them, according to the Democratic candidate? Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

“[Reid] said, you know, ‘John, you know, you’re a nice guy, but we’ve chosen Walsh. We’d like you to drop out. We don’t want to have a primary,’” Bohlinger said, according to local news reports. Bohlinger was referring to current Lt. Gov. John Walsh, the preferred choice of the party to run for the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Max Baucus.

“And I said, ‘Senator, we’re going to have a primary in Montana. And it will be the people of Montana that choose the next Democratic Senatorial candidate,’” Bohlinger added.

Bohlinger said that, at the end of their 10- or 15-minute conversation, Reid wished him good luck and said to call if he ever needed help.

Bohlinger, who served as a Republican under Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer but switched parties after he left office in 2012, announced his entry to the race on Tuesday at a Democratic dinner. He spoke to reporters about his bid on Wednesday, according to Montana media reports.

Bohlinger’s move complicates Walsh’s path. The seat will be one of the most fiercely contested of the 2014 cycle. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination is expected to face GOP Rep. Steve Daines, who announced his candidacy last week.

Senate Republicans need to net six seats to regain the majority and see this one as a critical pickup.

[justiceseeker93]

Thanks for the info, Impy. Can you please list by party and state all the retiring Senators leaving “open seats” for next year's elections?

[Impy]

GA Saxby Chambliss R (Several R candidates, Likely rat nominee is Sam Nunn’s daughter, she won’t win)

IA Tom Harkin D (I’d call it lean rat since the GOP is running second tier candidates)

MI Carl Levin D (I’d call it 50/50)

MT Max Baucus D (GOP Rep. Steve Daines is favored to win)

SD Tim Johnson D (Former GOP Governor Mike Rounds is heavily favored to win)

WV Jay Rockerfeller D

I believe every other Senator up has announced for reelection and none of them are on the fence

[aimhigh]

I’d like to see all out-of-state money banned in all congressional elections. Currently, congressional elections are like Communist Party elections. The Party chooses the candidates and winners.