Gernant plans to file for U.S. House Tuesday

Missoula attorney Tyler Gernant announced this weekend that he will file Tuesday as a candidate in the 2010 race for Montana's sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. "From day one, this campaign has been about creating opportunities for Montana's small businesses and middle class families," Gernant, a Democrat, said in a press release. "I look forward to continuing the conversation we started six months ago with the people of Montana about how we can get our economy back on track while creating jobs and reining in our spiraling national debt." The only other candidates to file as yet are Melville-area rancher and former attorney Dennis McDonald, also a Democrat, and Montana State University Billings professor A.J. Otjen of Laurel, a Republican. Incumbent Rep. Dennis Rehberg, a Billings rancher and real-estate developer, has not yet filed for re-election. His camPaign manager has said Rehberg welcomes challengers in both the primary and general races. Melinda Gopher, a Missoula writer, has said she will file as a Democrat in the race. No new candidates have filed on either ticket in the state legislative or Hill County races since Jan. 20.