Republican Bill Beck has announced his

intention to run for Montana Senate District 2. The seat is

currently held by Sen. Ryan Zinke, who is a candidate for Lt.

Governor.

Beck has served three terms as

representative for House District 6. He is a U.S. Navy veteran with

bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business. His background is in

management, budget and finance.

“If elected, I will continue to

exercise conservative fiscal restraints when it comes to spending

and expanding the role of government,” he said in a prepared

release.

Beck said small businesses are

struggling to operate by reducing staff and meeting bureaucratic

red tape and regulations.

“The Legislature must provide the

necessary solutions for the business community to create meaningful

jobs and expansion,” he said.

On health care, he said, affordable

care for all Montana citizens is a top priority. He also notes that

the Legislature must work to create fair and equitable property

taxes.

Beck said that resource development can

be done in a proficient way to benefit education and provide a more

active economy and create a taxpayer-friendly environment.

“We have lost millions of dollars and

thousands of jobs because of reluctance to develop our natural

resources,” he said. “Our state is rich in natural resources but

has a poor performance in developing these resources.”

Beck has served on several House

committees including Appropriations, Business and Labor, Health and

Human Services and Legislative Administration. During the interim

periods, he was a member of the Legislative Audit, Information and

Technology and Legislative Finance Committees.

“We must have strong leadership in

Helena and I feel that I can meet the challenge,” Beck said.