Former Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate Corey Stapleton has switched to running for the U.S. House seat he expects Congressman Steve Daines to vacate.

Stapleton is counting on Daines to run for the U.S. Senate.

Some party loyalists believe that Stapleton should have waited for Daines to declare his intent to run for the U.S. Senate, but Stapleton said Daines did the same thing when he first ran for the House.

"If you look back two years ago there was an identical situation," Stapleton said. "I think you saw Steve Daines switch from the Senate race to the House race before Denny Rehberg switched to the Senate race. It's a similar anticipation."

Stapleton said it is necessary in a big state like Montana to declare a race earlier than politicians have been doing this cycle.

"It takes time to get around to the different counties, to see the people, and to raise the money... which is important," Stapleton said. "This is about as long as it felt like we should be waiting. I actually think that - not that I speak for the Democrat party - but I think that all candidates for both races have waited pretty long."

When asked if he would switch back to running for the U.S. Senate if Daines decides not to run for the seat, Stapleton said that he is “betting the farm” that Daines is running for U.S. Senate.

Corey Sapleton:

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