Hill's opponents aim for conservative ground

HELENA — Republican hopefuls for governor are increasing their efforts to carve out conservative ground from perceived front-runner Rick Hill with less than two months until the GOP primary.

Hill, a former congressman and fixture in Republican Party politics who has stockpiled plenty of endorsements, maintains a solid fundraising edge in the seven-way primary. Hill's campaign labeled recent criticisms as "desperate" attempts to catch him.

Former state senator Ken Miller of Laurel is trying to parlay his social conservative base by running to Hill's right. But his attacks on Hill so far ha...