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Two local men apply for Schweitzer's running mate

By WALT WILLIAMS, Chronicle Staff Writer

Two Bozeman men say they want to be Brian Schweitzer's running mate as the Democratic candidate seeks the governor's office.


 Chris Junghans, 43, a Bozeman High School teacher, and Greg Adams, 34, a private research consultant, have applied to run for lieutenant governor with Schweitzer.

Both men joined Schweitzer on the steps of old Carnegie Library on North Bozeman Avenue, the site of Democratic Sen. Mike Wheat's law firm, for a short news conference Thursday.

"I'm looking for somebody that is willing to work with people of all shades and from all political spectrums," Schweitzer said about the qualifications for the job.

Schweitzer currently is the only Democrat running for governor. Tom Petrillo, a Democrat from Essex, considered a run, but changed his mind last week.

Instead of automatically pulling someone from his own party, Schweitzer said he will consider anybody for his running mate - Democrat, Republican, Libertarian and so on.

"I may choose somebody from my own party, but this is going to be an administration where deals aren't made in the back room," he said. "They're going to be made in the open, and we have a lot of talented people in Montana who've not considered public service."

Junghans, for example, is a Republican who has been a political operative in both Helena and Washington, D.C. He now teaches English and journalism at the high school.

"I'm not a ideologue," he said, "and everything I see in Brian's policies are compatible with my free-market approach and my growing Montana's-businesses philosophy."

Junghans also supports Schweitzer's health care plan, which calls for working with other states to buy prescription medications in bulk to lower prices.

Adams, a Democrat, said he was inspired to apply because of Schweitzer's ideas and the man himself. They share the same views on education, affordable health care and public access to the capital.

"He's like the Carhartt version of (former New York Mayor Rudy) Giuliani," Adams said. "He's likable, he's sensible and he's also a nice guy to have around."

Schweitzer reportedly will accept nominations for lieutenant governor for another couple of weeks. His Web site -- www.brianschweitzer.com -- even has a section where Internet browsers can suggest anyone for the job.

Walt Williams is at wwilliams@dailychronicle.com

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