Rehberg coasts to re-election in Montana

HELENA – Rep. Denny Rehberg rode a wave of tea party-fueled conservative fervor and voter resentment of Democratic policies in Washington to a sixth term in Congress on Tuesday.

The state’s sole congressman was never in danger after casting himself during the campaign as an agent of change to Democratic policies.

Democrat Dennis McDonald, a rancher from Melville and a former trial lawyer from California, struggled to raise enough money to give his attacks on Rehberg widespread attention.

With about a third of the vote in Tuesday night, Rehberg was leading McDonald 58 percent to 36 percent. Libertarian Mike Fellows had 5 percent.

With the GOP flexing its muscle around the country, Rehberg promised to put the economy at the top of the to-do list by advocating tax breaks while pushing for spending reform with his seat on the House Appropriations Committee.

McDonald conceded the race shortly after polls closed Tuesday and telephoned Rehberg to congratulate him on the win.

“I told him the campaign is behind us now, and we all need to work together as Americans and Montanans,” he said.