Montana Governor Poised to Lead Democratic Governors

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock is the frontrunner to become the next chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, an appointment that would put him at the center of the party’s effort to bounce back from a 2014 election season that saw Republicans tighten their grip on the nation’s statehouses.

Bullock, a freshman governor whose own reelection bid is slated for 2016, would succeed Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin in the position, POLITICO has learned. A source familiar with DGA leadership discussions added that Bullock is likely to step down from the post after a year to focus on his reelection.

The DGA is convening in early December to vote on its new leadership slate. A Bullock aide confirmed that the governor is asking colleagues to back his bid at that meeting.