Former transportation director to run for governor

HELENA (AP) — Former Montana Transportation Director Jim Lynch has announced plans to run for governor.

Jim Lynch

Lynch is the ninth Republican to join the 2012 governor's race along with two Democrats. Term limits prevent Gov. Brian Schweitzer from seeking re-election.

Schweitzer asked Lynch to resign as transportation director in August after the administration confronted Lynch about that agency's hiring of Lynch's daughter about four years ago. Lynch has maintained that he did nothing wrong and was not involved in the hiring decision.

Lynch said Thursday he's running for governor to pave the way for economic development.

He says as transportation director, he helped the state move forward with transportation projects that had been bogged down in the bureaucratic process and worked to make sure projects were completed on time and on budget.