Montana's GOP congressman, Denny Rehberg, says he will run against Senator John Tester in 2012. The Billings Gazette:

Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg says he's running for the Senate in 2012 to offer Montanans a choice between someone who will tackle out-of-control federal spending and Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who believes government is the solution.

"If this is a campaign on the issues with two contrasting philosophies, I better represent the state of Montana," Rehberg said in an interview with the Gazette State Bureau.

He added, "I'm doing it for my family and the future of Montana and the country."

Rehberg will formally announce his Senate candidacy Saturday night at a Republican Lincoln/Reagan Day dinner in Helena, although word of his plans leaked out in recent days.

"We essentially have one senator, two people voting the same way, doing the same thing," Rehberg said, referring to Tester and fellow Democratic Sen. Max Baucus. "It's not helping Montana."

Rehberg added, "If you believe that the stimulus worked, then you got Max and Jon."

Montana has been trending slightly more Democratic in recent elections, probably due to the kind of candidates Democrats are putting up; pro gun, supposed fiscal conservative, and "smart government" rather than big government.

But that story might be wearing thin and given his name recognition and certain massive backing from the party and 527's, Rehberg looks pretty good for 2012.