NEWS

Democratic legislator to run for PSC

The Associated Press

BOZEMAN — A Democratic lawmaker says he will run for the Public Service Commission in hopes of breaking a Republican monopoly on the panel.

Pat Noonan of Ramsay says he believes the commission that regulates utilities has become overly politicized instead of doing what is doing best for consumers.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports Noonan will run for the seat held by Commissioner Roger Koopman. All five positions on the commission have been held by Republicans since 2013.

Noonan is serving his fourth and final term in the state House.

He will have a primary opponent in Livingston Democrat Caron Cooper. Cooper says Noonan’s entry in the race will help her focus her campaign.