Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton says he's leaving the crowded Republican gubernatorial primary race to campaign for the state's newly open U.S. House seat.
Stapleton told delegates at the Montana Republican Party convention in Helena Saturday there are plenty of good people running for governor, so he will seek to keep the congressional seat under GOP control.
Stapleton was the first prominent Republican to announce his candidacy for governor in 2020. His course change comes a day after U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte launched his gubernatorial campaign, which grew the field of primary candidates to six.
Stapleton is now the first Republican candidate for U.S. House. State Auditor Matt Rosendale and former District Judge Russ Fagg also are considering runs.
Former state lawmaker Kathleen Williams and current state Rep. Tom Winter are competing for the Democratic nomination for House.
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