MONTANA state senator switches to Dem, breaks tie to give Dem 26-24 Advantage!

[FrenchieCat]

State Sen. Sam Kitzenberg filed the paperwork at the secretary of state's office on Friday.

He said he had been thinking about switching parties for about 12 years and made the decision at the suggestion of Democratic state Sen. Mike Cooney, who contacted him after the Nov. 7 election put both parties on an even footing.

"He called and said 'Guess what? It's tied. I know you've mentioned changing parties in the past, and now is the time,'" Kitzenberg said.

Democrats have a 50-49 edge in the Montana House. One Democrat, Sheila Hogan, lost by just 24 votes and party officials said this past week that she will ask for a recount; if she were to win, the Democrats' lead would change to 51-48.

Kitzenberg dismissed Republican critics who suggested the change was "political payoff" for a state Revenue Department job he got from the administration of Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

"The job I have now had nothing to do with this decision," Kitzenberg said. "I sat down and tried to figure out what was really important to me. It just came down to me realizing who my real friends were and where my heart was."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061118/ap_on_el_st_lo/montana_senate_switch

[bullimiami]

1. wow. montana is all d controlled.

what a shame that florida, home of so many many liberal people is strapped with this regressive r control.

[FrenchieCat]

2. That's cause Florida has a Bush to deal with......

Montana is now officially a Blue State! Totally!

[havocmom]

4. GOP Sec of State, I believe, and also the Lt Gov is GOP

Swietzer picked a moderate Republican as his Lt Gov running mate in an effort to show bipartisan teams CAN work together to solve the people's problems and meet the needs of the general population.

[hedda_foil]

5. The SoS is GOP but actually committed ot clean elections.

There are a few old fashioned rock-ribbed conservatives in SoS positions. The recently defeated (by the great Mark Ritchie) Minnesota SoS, Mary Kiffmeier, was very good on verified voting (all paper ballot optical scan statewide) with strong audit measures including a citizen audit sponsored by several organizations including the LWV. (Of course she was awful on things like voter ID, but that didn't pass tbe legislature.) Brad Johnson of Montana is also very good on paper ballots and willing to help push for audits in the next legislative session. There are a few others. But Montana is lucky on that score too.

[Rainscents]

3. I really admire him for doing this!

It takes gut to do this... I didn't leave my party, my party left me is the reason, I'm switching!

[lander]

6. Hey, Montana —

Welcome to DU!

:applause:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. lol!

:thumbsup: