Democrat Wilmer Replaces State House Candidate

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — State Rep. Franke Wilmer of Bozeman has a chance to return to the state Legislature after losing June's Democratic congressional primary.

The crowded primary was won by Kim Gillan of Billings. That race prevented Wilmer from running again for her urban Bozeman state legislative House District 64 seat.

But Wilmer says Tuesday she was picked by the local Democratic committee to replace the party's candidate for the rural Bozeman House District 63 seat. Marty Livingston resigned due to a family matter.

Wilmer will face Republican incumbent Tom Burnett in November's general election.

Wilmer says she hopes to win the swing district as Democrats try to even things with Republicans in the state House.

She says a more closely divided House forces good compromise.