Schweitzer helping down-ticket Democrats

HELENA — Gov. Brian Schweitzer has so far been a bystander in the state's big U.S. Senate race showdown — and says he thinks he is most effective helping down-ticket Democrats.

Polling shows that Schweitzer remains the most popular politician in the state. But U.S. Sen. Jon Tester has not brought Schweitzer in as a surrogate on the campaign trail.

Schweitzer says he expects to do more rallies next week touting state Democratic candidates like Steve Bullock for governor, Secretary of State Linda McCulloch, state schools Superintendent Denise Juneau and others. He is also helping legislative candidates.

Political scientist David Parker says a surrogate like Schweitzer doesn't help a well-established candidate like Tester much.