Republican Duane Grimes, a former state senator from Clancy, filed Tuesday to run for state auditor, saying he wants the office to be "user-friendly" for consumers and business.

The state auditor regulates the insurance and investment businesses in Montana, and current state Auditor John Morrison has used the office to propose and promote programs to expand health-insurance coverage in Montana.

Grimes, 50, said he admires some of the work Morrison has done, but would take a different approach in some areas, by encouraging more competition among insurers and helping consumers get more information about health-care costs and choices.

"Right now, we are viewed with some skepticism by people who want to do business here," he said. "I think we can improve the marketplace for consumers and make businesses actually want to do business in this state."

Grimes ran against Morrison in 2004, but lost with 44 percent of the vote.

This year, term limits prevent Morrison from running for re-election.

Democrat Monica Lindeen of Huntley, a former state representative who lost a run for Congress in 2006, also is running for state auditor this year. She announced her candidacy last year.

Grimes, who sold a taxi and warehouse-distribution business late last year, served in the Legislature from 1993-2006, representing districts primarily in Jefferson County.

He was a state representative from 1993-1998 and state senator from 1999-2006.

Grimes grew up in Harrison and has a master's degree in public administration from the University of Montana and bachelor's degree in theology from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.

Grimes said his experience as a legislator is a plus, and that he'd work closely with the Legislature on proposals to expand health-insurance coverage.

He said he'll soon unveil plans to revise the popular Insure Montana program, which provides state subsidies and tax credits that help 1,500 small businesses buy health insurance for their employees.

The subsidy portion of Insure Montana should be changed to target those who really need it and spread the available money more widely, he said. About 700 businesses are on a waiting list to get on the subsidy program.

Grimes also said he would like to make the auditor's office as open and responsive as possible to consumers who may have complaints about the insurance and investment industries.

"I'm just convinced that this office can protect the consumers with just unparalleled access and openness," he said. "I just really want to open the doors of that agency for the consumers. ...

"I want to have the most user-friendly auditor's office in the history of the state of Montana."