Steve Bullock’s Bad Week: Montana Lieutenant Governor Quits After “Falling Out”

“Democrat Governor Steve Bullock suffered a blow to his re-election campaign this week, after his second lieutenant governor in three years mysteriously quit after a ‘falling out’ with Governor Bullock, causing many to question Bullock’s competence and judgment,” said RGA Communications Director Jon Thompson. “After Bullock’s large folly of appointing his first LG John Walsh to the U.S. Senate, who was then forced to drop out of his Senate race after charges of plagiarism, this sudden departure of his second LG shows Bullock’s administration is not on par with the leadership Montana voters deserve.”

Angela McLean, Bullock’s Second Lieutenant Governor In Three Years, Resigned After A “Falling Out” With Governor Bullock. “Sources told MTN News that McLean, appointed lieutenant governor just 22 months ago, had had a falling out with the governor and seen a diminished role on the job in recent months.” (Mike Dennison, “Lt. Gov. McLean Resigning To Take Higher-Ed Job,” MTN News, 11/30/2015)

McLean’s Sudden Departure Surprised Everyone, Including Bullock. “Bullock has said he found out about McLean’s departure Monday morning, something Parker said ‘speaks volumes. … If he didn’t know this was in the offing, I think that says a lot.” (Holly Michels, “Political Scientist: Bullock Needs Carefully Screened Pick For Lieutenant Governor,” Billings Gazette, 12/3/2015)

McLean Left Under Mysterious Circumstances. “…He goes out and picks Angela McLean, who by all accounts is dynamic and did a good job, and then she mysteriously leaves.” (Holly Michels, “Political Scientist: Bullock Needs Carefully Screened Pick For Lieutenant Governor,” Billings Gazette, 12/3/2015)

Political Analyst In Montana Questioned Governor Bullock’s Competence Over His Inability To Stick With A Lieutenant Governor. “What’s more important is it looks odd the governor is going to have a third lieutenant governor in a four-year term. That then raises questions I don’t think the governor wants raised. It brings back the Walsh story, it goes to the fundamental question of, ‘Is the governor competent?’” (Holly Michels, “Political Scientist: Bullock Needs Carefully Screened Pick For Lieutenant Governor,” Billings Gazette, 12/3/2015)

Bullock Will Now Have To Select His Third LG In Three Years. “Three lieutenant governors in three years – it’s not something a Montana governor has had to deal with in about eight decades. With the announcement Lt. Gov. Angela McLean is leaving her job for a position at the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, Gov. Steve Bullock is looking for a new No. 2, something he’s done once already.” (Holly Michels, “Political Scientist: Bullock Needs Carefully Screened Pick For Lieutenant Governor,” Billings Gazette, 12/3/2015)

Bullocks Appointed His Second LG John Walsh To The U.S. Senate, Who Then Bombed As A Candidate And Dropped Out Of The Senate Election After Charges Of Plagiarism. “In October 2013, Bullock’s then-Lt. Gov. John Walsh announced plans to seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Max Baucus, who said he would not run for another term. When President Barack Obama appointed Baucus ambassador to China five months later, Bullock picked Walsh to serve out Baucus’ term, making him the incumbent in the 2014 election. That’s when Bullock named McLean the new lieutenant governor. Parker said one of the biggest problems Bullock has faced so far is the appointment of Walsh, who later dropped out of the Senate campaign when it was found he plagiarized a paper he submitted to the War College.” (Holly Michels, “Political Scientist: Bullock Needs Carefully Screened Pick For Lieutenant Governor,” Billings Gazette, 12/3/2015)

Having To Select Another LG Is “Problematic” For Bullock. “…David Parker, associate professor of political science at Montana State University, believes the development is problematic for Bullock. ‘It looks like the governor can’t seem to pick someone to actually stay in the job of lieutenant governor,” Parker said Tuesday.” (Holly Michels, “Political Scientist: Bullock Needs Carefully Screened Pick For Lieutenant Governor,” Billings Gazette, 12/3/2015)