Welborn declares victory Wednesday in Public Service Commission District 3 race
In the the Public Service Commission District 3 race, Republican Jeff Welborn was ahead Wednesday morning in early results over Democrat Leonard "Lenny" Williams.
They are running for a seat left vacant by James Brown, who is running for state auditor.
As of 10:25 a.m. The Montana Secretary of State's website had Welborn ahead with 62% of the 103,172 votes cast to 37% for Williams. It noted that 124 of the 160 precincts had been fully counted.
Welborn sent out an email at 10:18 a.m., declaring victory.
"I appreciate the tremendous support I've received in this race, and I'm humbled by the result," he said. "Public service is about listening to others, and working for the betterment of people. I ran my campaign in a civil and straightforward manner, and I want to thank Lenny for doing the same."
He said he would continue to reach out "to qualified folks, to help me better understand the complex issues the agency is charged with."
He said he would advocate for policies "that keep Montana energy reliable, affordable, and abundant."
District 3 spans the southwestern and central parts of the state and includes Bozeman, Butte and Helena.
The five-member PSC regulates the rates and service quality for investor-owned electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and legacy telecommunication companies. The PSC inspects railroads and ensures the integrity of intra-state pipelines.
Welborn is a Dillon resident who said he wants to bring an agricultural perspective to the commission.
Welborn, a former state lawmaker, chaired the Senate Natural Resources Committee. He serves on the Finance and Claims Committee and the Highways and Transportation Committee.
Williams, a Butte resident, is an electrician and longtime union organizer. He is serving as president of the Southwest Montana Central Labor Council. He said he is running to bring public service back to the commission and be the voice of its constituents.
The commission's decision in 2023 to authorize a double-digit increase for NorthWestern Energy's residential electricity customers helped him decide to run, he said.
Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021.
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