Democratic candidates for local legislative — and one county — positions toured Montana State University-Northern’s biodiesel research and production facilities Friday, and commented on their party’s past — and future — efforts to support the program.

“We’re appreciative of having this here,” said Rep. Bob Bergren, D-Havre, who is running for the seat in Senate District 17. “And also the huge ties it has to agriculture, to the ag-based economy on the whole Hi-Line.”

Bergren who is running against Republican Rowlie Hutton in the general election, was joined by Democrats Jack Trethewey and Dana Sapp Seidel on the tour. Trethewey faces Republican Kristin Hansen in the race in House District 33 in part of Havre and western Hill County, and Seidel is running against Rep. Wendy Warburton, R-Havre, in the race for Warburton’s seat in House District 34 in northern Hill and Blaine counties including parts of Havre and Chinook.

They were joined by Democrat James “Jim” Catt, who is running against independent Jeff LaVoi in the race for for the seat on the Hill County commission in this year’s election.

The three legislative candidates said after the tour that they would fight to continue funding for the center and for programs like it that create job opportunities in Montana.

The visit to the labs was the latest stop in the state Democratic Party’s Job Opportunities and Business Strength tour to promote their plan of action for job creation in the state.