WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Montana Republican Sen. Conrad Burns said he would seek re-election to a fourth term, Roll call said Thursday, ending speculation he might retire.
"We're running," Burns said in an interview earlier this week. "You oughta see my schedule to raise money in the next six months," the former radio broadcaster, who turned 70 on Tuesday, said.
State Republican officials said the announcement came as no surprise to them. "We always expected him to run again," Montana GOP Executive Director Chuck Denowh said. "I'm not sure where the rumors came from."
Incumbent or no incumbent, Democrats, bolstered by gains on the state level including their recent takeover of the governor's mansion and looking at the close call Burns had in 2000, see a target. "He's in our sights," said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman Phil Singer.
Burns won a third term in 2000 with 51 percent of the vote against political neophyte Brian Schweitzer, who is now the governor. No one expects him to abandon his newly won executive position for a rematch against Burns, however.
