Montana Gov. Bullock joins 2020 Democratic presidential race

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock says he is seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

The 53-year-old on Tuesday became the third governor in a race with almost two dozen candidates, but Bullock is the only statewide elected official to win a state that President Donald Trump carried in 2016.

That’s a key part of Bullock’s argument. He’s telling voters that he’s succeeded as a Democrat in a state that leans solidly Republican, making him an ideal person to take on Trump.

Bullock pushed expanded Medicaid insurance in Montana through a Republican-led legislature and expanded LGBTQ rights by executive order. He’s also vetoed gun bills and abortion restrictions pushed by Republican lawmakers.

His immediate challenge is raising money and getting enough support in polls to qualify for Democrats’ first debates in June.