Senate Majority Leader Enters Race For State Auditor

Montana Senate Majority Leader Matthew Rosendale says he will run for the open seat of state auditor.

The Glendive Republican said Friday that he decided to run after being encouraged by GOP leaders. He says he would focus on opening the health insurance market if he is elected.

Rosendale joins former Republican state Rep. Champ Edmunds in seeking the Republican nomination for the position. Edmunds' campaign had just $386 in cash at the end of December.

The winner of the Republican primary will likely face Democrat Jesse Laslovich, who is the auditor's chief legal counsel. Laslovich's campaign had more than $123,800 in the bank at the end of the year.

The current auditor, Democrat Monica Lindeen, is campaigning for secretary of state.