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Montana Gov. to Pick Baucus Replacement, Sparking 2014 Intrigue

<p>With Max Baucus now confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) gets to appoint a temporary replacement for Baucus' seat.</p>
Image: House Holds Hearing On Nomination Of Max Baucus To Be Ambassador To China
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee January 28, 2014 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Senator Baucus, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, will become the next U.S. ambassador to China if confirmed by the Senate. Alex Wong / Getty Images

With Max Baucus now confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) gets to appoint a temporary replacement for Baucus' seat.

And that pick is widely expected to be Lt. Gov. John Walsh (D), who is already running for Baucus' vacant Senate seat in November.

Selecting Walsh could give him a leg up in his Democratic primary, as well as boost his name identification for the general election.

Still, Montana remains a good 2014 pick-up opportunity for Republicans, given that President Obama got just 42% of the vote in the state in 2012. Then again, Sen. Jon Tester (D) was able to win re-election that year.

The front-runner for the GOP nomination in this Senate race is Rep. Steve Daines (R-Mo.).