A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Gov. Steve Bullock’s new lieutenant governor will be Mike Cooney, former Montana Secretary of State and state legislator. It’s a smart choice, and not entirely a surprise. There may be a few disgruntled Democrats who thought Bullock was obligated to replace a woman with another woman, but most Democrats will applaud Bullock’s choice, heave a sigh of relief, and really mean it when they whoop Happy New Year! at midnight tomorrow.
Bullock’s campaign website already bears Cooney’s name. He may have amended his C-1 to include Cooney’s name, but if so it has yet to be placed online by Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices.
According to the Missoulian, Montana’s Secretary of State has not yet received Angela McLean’s resignation (it’s expected tomorrow), so she’s still lieutenant governor — and at least in theory could become governor if Bullock slips on a banana peel and expires before her resignation becomes effective. Were that to happen, would she appoint Cooney lieutenant governor and resign as governor to honor Bullock’s wishes?