KTVQ – Democrats rally for 2012 elections at Truman Dinner in Billings

BILLINGS – Democrats look to win seats in the state legislature, as they meet in Billings to raise money and rally for the 2012 election.

The Truman Dinner, hosted by the Yellowstone County Democratic Central Committee, is the biggest gathering of Democrats in eastern Montana.

All the major Democratic candidates for federal and state offices, as well as many running for the legislature, came out to the 26th annual Truman dinner, at the Billings Hotel & Convention Center Saturday night.

The dinner serves as a chance to support candidates and for the party members to socialize.

The Democrats are trying to take control of the legislature and its message is one of unification.

“We’re really trying to unify the party and get everybody together,” said Joseph Raffiani, chair of the Yellowstone County Democratic Central Committee. “Rising ties. Lifting the party. And this really is in my opinion about the next generation of politicians for Montana. It’s our next governor and we are really trying to take over for the first time in a while.”

Raffiani says the race for US Senate involving incumbent Jon Tester and Congressman Denny Rehberg is the single most important race in the country.