The 2016 elections for the Montana Legislature are still more than a year off, but the only Democrat planning to keep his seat in Northwest Montana already has a challenger.

Taylor Rose, a bartender and diplomacy student from Columbia Falls, announced this week that he would run as a Republican against freshman Rep. Zac Perry, D-Hungry Horse, in House District 3. The district covers the northeast corner of Flathead County, including Columbia Falls, Polebridge, West Glacier and Essex.

In a statement announcing his candidacy, Rose took aim not at Perry but the federal government, which he blames for over-regulation of the state’s natural resources plus policies that inhibit job growth.

Perry announced his re-election campaign in July. In his first year in the state House, his legislative initiatives included extending the authority for school districts to lease property and revising annual reporting requirements for state trust lands.

The only other Democrat in heavily Republican Flathead County, Rep. Ed Lieser of Whitefish, has said he won’t seek re-election after two terms in the state House. He has endorsed Democratic candidate David Fern as his successor in House District 5, which covers Whitefish and the surrounding area.

Reporter Samuel Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.