Congressional candidate has ties to C-Falls

Whitefish businesswoman Diane Smith announced last week she has entered the race for Montana's open congressional seat in the U.S. House as a Democrat. 

Smith, 52, says her business experience gives her an edge over the other candidates.

"Montana needs Congress to focus on creating jobs," she said in a press release, "and that is what I have spent my life doing."

She is the fifth Democrat to file for the 2012 election to fill Rep. Denny Rehberg's seat. Rehberg is challenging U.S. Sen. Jon Tester for his seat in the Senate.

The four other Democrats are attorney Rob Stutz, of Helena, state Sen. Kim Gillan, of Billings, state Rep. Franke Wilmer, of Bozeman, and Missoula city councilor Dave Strohmaier. The lone Republican candidate is businessman Steve Daines, of Bozeman.

Smith grew up in Virginia and has a degree from George Mason University, in Washington, D.C. She worked as a senior vice president for Alltel before moving to Montana in 2002.

Her husband, David Pickeral, is a listed owner of the Oddfellows building across from the Columbia Falls City Hall and other properties around town.

She co-founded Avail-TVN, a digital video company based in Kalispell. She left Avail-TVN in 2008 after overseeing its merger with another firm. The company boasts more then $150 million in annual sales.

"As I travel around our state, I am awed by the spirit and entrepreneurship of Montana's people," Smith said. "But over the past several years, policies in D.C. have become impediments to our innovation and prosperity, and our elected leaders are either unable or unwilling to stop the political games and focus on results."

Smith serves on the Whitefish City-County Planning Board and is currently active with the City-County Planning Jurisdiction Interlocal Agreement Committee regarding "doughnut" planning negotiations. She is also a founding member of the Flathead 911 Foundation.