Bigfork businessman and state Senate Minority Leader Bob Keenan says it may seem "blasphemous" to some GOP voters, but he is challenging Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., out of concern that the state's junior senator may not be electable in November.

Calling from Costa Rica, where he is vacationing with his older son and daughter, Keenan said Wednesday that Burns has been damaged by his office's association with Jack Abramoff, the Washington lobbyist recently convicted on influence peddling charges. While Burns has maintained that he personally never met or had dealings with Abramoff, he has acknowledged that his staff accepted about $150,000 in political contributions from Abramoff or the lobbyist's clients. He has been barraged by negative publicity for the past few months.

"People are concerned about Conrad Burns' electability, given the perception that has come about because of the Jack Abramoff situation, and that is still coming about," Keenan said. "I like Conrad Burns and I have confidence that he has done no wrong, but I have concerns that his staff may have overstepped their bounds, and that could be a black mark for him and it could cause problems in November."

Keenan's filing papers were mailed Tuesday to the Montana secretary of state. The Montana deadline for filing in all state elections is today.

Keenan said he refuses to run a "negative" campaign, and will be on the ballot mainly to offer GOP voters a choice.

"I am not running an attacking, negative campaign against Conrad Burns," he said. "I have no desire to do that whatsoever. But I will defend myself against attacks over my record."

The Burns campaign Tuesday welcomed Keenan to the race, but the same press release went on to say that "Bob Keenan has a record of voting to increase your taxes. He will need to explain to Montanans why he thinks the government needs more of their money."

Keenan said his record in the state Senate reflects unconventional approaches that led to a rapid ascent into leadership positions. As Senate president in 2003, Keenan led an unorthodox effort to overcome a general-fund budget deficit of $100 million, while the GOP majority also delivered some tax cuts.

"If people are happy with the situation in Washington, D.C., then I urge them to vote for Conrad Burns, because he is eminently qualified to give you more of the same," Keenan said. "I know that a lot of people are enthusiastic about Conrad Burns delivering money to Montana for roads and bridges and sewer systems. If they have an appetite for pork, they need to vote for Conrad Burns.

"I have leadership experience and I've made many difficult budget votes, and that type of experience is sorely needed in Washington, D.C.," he added.

The state Republican Party this week released a statement of official support for Burns.

"I have no problem with that," Keenan said. "I understand that. I am not, nor have I ever been, a down-the-yellow-line, follow-the-party type of person."

He said some staunch Republicans will regard his candidacy as "blasphemy" and "heresy," but others will support an alternative candidate to face the successful Democratic candidate, either State Auditor John Morrison or the current state Senate president, Jon Tester.

With the June primary election less than three months away, Keenan acknowledged that he faces a considerable disadvantage in campaign financing.

"I'm used to that. I was outspent four to one in my last competitive race." This time around, "I will run an 'uncola' of campaigns. I don't intend to spend a lot of money for litter on a stick," he said of yard signs.

But Keenan also said he will need to be aggressive about fundraising to gain name recognition across the state.

"I have to be a realist," he said. "You have to get the word out."

Keenan said he waited until the last few days before the filing deadline mainly "out of respect" for the possibility that Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., or some other Republican leader might enter the Senate race.

To focus his energies on campaigning, Keenan said he will "probably have to give up" his current duties as chairman of the Flathead County Republican Central Committee.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at [email protected].