Daines plans Saturday visit to Libby

Montana State Rep. Steve Daines is coming to Libby. Daines plans to tour the new Cabinet Peaks Medical Center on Saturday. Daines will be joined by Rep. Jerry Bennett and Kate Stephens, marketing director for Cabinet Peaks.

The stop at the month-old medical center will be preceeded by a tour of the Eureka Pellet Mill. During that visit, Daines will be joined by owner Ernie Johnson, Rep. Mike Cuffe and Tracy McIntyre, executive director of Eureka Rural Development Partners.

The stops are part of a tour of small businesses, veterans’ services and health care facilities around northwestern Montana.

A first-term representative, Daines is considered a strong contender for the Senate seat left vacant by Max Baucus, whose nomination as ambassador to China was recently approved by a 96-0 vote in the U.S. Senate.

Former leuitenant governor John Walsh, who has annonunced his candidacy for the Senate position, was appointed to fill Baucus’ seat Feb. 7.

According to federal campaign disclosures, Daines, a Republican, had $1.1 million in cash for his campaign at the end of September. Walsh, a Democrat, had about $435,000 at the end of the year.