Republican John Forbes, the architect of a Helena voter initiative to support the war on terrorism, will run for the open House District 79 seat on Nov. 4.

Forbes on Wednesday said he thinks he can offer constituents better representation than they've seen in the past.

"I don't think that it's gotten good representation for the last eight years," he said. "I think I can do a better job."

The seat is now held by Rep. Dave Gallik, a Democrat who's barred from re-election by term limits. Democrat Chuck Hunter and Independent Neil Templeton also are running for the seat in the three-way general race. The district covers eastern Helena, the South Hills and areas northeast of the city limits.

Forbes hasn't before run for public office, but he tested the local political waters last year by writing a referendum urging Congress to support troops in the war on terrorism. The measure was soundly defeated.

If elected, Forbes will push for more natural resource development, ask for better accountability in the school-funding process, work to increase drunk-driving penalties, encourage economic development and support a statewide sales tax.

With fuel prices above $3 a gallon far before the start of the summer travel season, Forbes said now is the time for Montana to step up its development of natural resources.

"We're looking at gas prices that nobody can afford," he said. "To have laws that restrict drilling and restrict the use of coal, to me it just doesn't seem logical at all in a time when we need to use those resources."

He also suggests eliminating the business-equipment tax and providing more property-tax incentives to encourage business development in the state.

Though he knows it's not a popular idea, Forbes supports a statewide sales tax, which he said would allow state government to reap some of the benefits of Montana's tourism industry.

Forbes agrees with Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat, on two points -- accountability in education funding and the creation of a state reserve fund, where excess revenue could be saved for any harder times that may be down the road.

The rainy-day fund was opposed by House Republicans during the 2007 session. Asked about his break from the party line, Forbes said "Republicans, unlike Democrats, tend to think for themselves and don't necessarily go along with the herd."

Forbes believes school districts across the state need to show how they've used the increased funding they've received in the past few sessions, for starters.

"Every year they come back for more and more," he said. "It all boils down to budgeting your money and justifying what you're doing to improve the quality of education in this state."

Forbes, who lived most of his life near Milwaukee, Wis., moved to Helena six years ago. He's married with two grown children and three grandchildren.

He's a board member of the local chapter of the Salvation Army and a member of the Montana Financial Education Coalition. He also works with the Lewis and Clark County Republican Central Committee.

Forbes retired after working for 31 years for a telecommunications company. He spent the last 21 years in management. He also spent eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Reporter Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com