HELENA — Republicans see a golden opportunity to retake a governor's mansion after nearly eight years of living under the shadow of Brian Schweitzer — but first the party has to pick a nominee from a crowded and increasingly contentious primary battle.

Former congressman Rick Hill, considered by many in the party to be the front-runner for the nomination heading into Tuesday's primary, is being targeted by the other candidates. At the same time, the candidates are getting into a war with increasingly large job creation promises as they each tout economic plans based on fewer regulation...