Kathy Keenan-Swanson, a teller at $76 million Southwest Montana Community Federal Credit Union, has been tapped as one of three finalists to fill the seat of Montana Rep. Dan Villa (D).
Villa confirmed with Credit Union Times that Keenan-Swanson was picked from a pool of six candidates by the Democratic Party for Deer Lodge and Granite counties. A credit union employee also confirmed the selection saying Keenan-Swanson "was very excited" upon hearing the news. Keenan-Swanson is on vacation until Aug. 24.
Villa, who has served as a state representative since January 2005, officially stepped down on June 19 after Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer appointed him education policy adviser.
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Keenan-Swanson would have to run for election in November 2010 for the House District 86 seat for Montana's legislative session, which starts in January 2011, Villa said.
According to the Montana Standard, Keenan-Swanson has several political ties. Her father P.J. Keenan served in the state senate from 1967 to 1972 and her sister Nancy Keenan is a former legislator. Keenan-Swanson's daughter works for U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.).
As chairman of the Anaconda-Deer Lodge Democratic Central Committee, Villa said he recused himself from the candidate interview process. The other finalists are former state legislator Red Menahan and businessman Jim Jenner.
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