Judy Martz (R) won't run for governor

[mndemocrat_29]

Though she would've been a great candidate to run against (she was polling at 20 percent!!!), it's nice to now that Gov. Judy Martz won't be abusing power any longer.

Here's the article:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030813/ap_on_el_gu/montana_governor_3

So now, the 2004 count consists of these races:

North Carolina-Mike Easley (D)
Montana-Open (R)
Vermont-Jim Douglas (R)
New Hampshire-Craig Benson (R)
Utah-Open (R)
Washington-Open (D)
West Virginia-Open (D)
Missouri-Bob Holden (D)
Delaware-Ruth Ann Minner (D)
North Dakota-John Hoeven (R)
Indiana-Open (D)

If Bob Holden loses in the primary to Claire McCaskill, there will be 6 open seats.

[Ediacara]

1. LAME

This will be a tough one for Brian Schweitzer, but I think he can win it in the end.

I was hoping that Martz would run, and in a crowded field of Republicans would eek out a primary win, and then go on to lose in a landslide in the general.

*sigh*

I wish she would quit now, she still has another year and a half left to abuse power...

[mndemocrat_29]

2. I was hoping that Martz would've been the nominee also

Then Schweitzer would've won in a landslide. I still think that Schweitzer will win (though it will be tough with Brown). He's an up and comer in the party and nearly won in 2000, so he has experience.

[jiacinto]

3. This was to be expected

With her rock bottom approval numbers there was no way the GOP was going to allow Martz to run for re-election. But Schweitzer has been raising money and knows how to run a good race. He still has a good shot of winning. And his staff probably expected Martz to drop out and have been working around that.

[dusty64]

4. She would have been

pretty easy to beat. I'm still puzzled by the rethugs sway over ALL their candidates, when they say drop out they just about always do (like little puppets).

[goobergunch]

5. Disappointing...

I was hoping this would be an easy pick-up. :evilfrown:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

6. Her unpopularity is not a personal matter.

Her unpopularity is not a personal matter. It has more to do with her policies and the accumulated problems caused by having Republican control in this state for so long.

In a way, by removing the 'Judy factor' we may have a campaign that works better for the Dems by forcing the debate to be about the issues. We need to take back the state legislature as well as the gov office.

[jiacinto]

7. Can it be done?

I think Schweitzer is our best chance.

[mndemocrat_29]

8. It can be done

Montana and Vermont are our best shots at gubernatorial pickups in 2004.