It was only a few months ago that voters in House District 100 west of Missoula elected Champ Edmunds to a second term in the Montana legislature. Tomorrow, Feb. 28, Edmunds will officially announce his intention to run for Max Baucus' U.S. senate seat.

In the meantime, Edmunds spoke with KGVO News about how he plans to compete against one of America's most seasoned politicians. When asked how he would confront Montana's senior senator Max Baucus, Edmunds responded by saying, "First, I'd say 'Max, thank you for your nearly 40 years of service to the state of Montana,' then I'd say, 'Max, it's time to come home, it's time for a new face in D.C.'"

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was the first of Edmunds salvos against Baucus. "Quite frankly, for the last few years the country has been going in the wrong direction," says Edmunds. "Max is one of the primary authors of Obamacare, which I think is proving to be just as problematic as we anticipated. We need to push back on that. We need to have someone that's going to go over there and do that, Max has got a lot of seniority, but he doesn't seem to be able to do that for the benefit of Montana . . . I don't think Max is working for the people anymore."

Champ Edmunds:

When asked about the only other republican rival for the seat, Corey Stapleton, Edmunds says, "I would say good luck. Do your best. I believe in Ronald Regan's eleventh commandment which is thou shalt not speak ill of other republicans. I'm not going to attack my opponent in that regard. Hopefully we're about it. It would be nice to have a little bit narrower of a primary rather than have eight or nine people jump in.

When asked what he would like to do to improve Washington. Edmunds says he will push for government efficiency by advocating a "one subject, one bill" system of legislation design. Edmunds also says his time in the Montana state legislature has taught him the importance of a balanced budget and that he'll advocate for a balanced budget amendment at the federal level.

Finally, Edmunds brings the discussion back to the 2nd amendment. "Max Baucus voted for the Brady bill . . . I'm a strong supporter of our 2nd amendment rights. I own a lot of guns myself as well as a concealed weapons permit. I would say if you're a gun guy, I'm definitely your guy."

 

More From KMMS-KPRK 1450 AM