Governor picks former labor leader as ethics chief

HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- Gov. Brian Schweitzer has appointed a former labor leader
to be the next commissioner over political ethics and campaign complaints.
   The Democratic governor announced Monday that he had selected Jim Murry over
three others recommended by legislative leaders to be commissioner of political
practices.
   Murry was executive secretary of the Montana State AFL-CIO from 1968 to 1991.
 He was recommended by Democratic legislative leaders, as was Susan Witte, a
Democrat active in political campaigns.
   Republicans nominated Colleen Urquhart-Fillner,a former staffer to Republican
Gov. Marc Racicot, and Johnny Walker, a former federal law enforcement officer
   Schweitzer only interviewed Murry and Urquhart-Fillner. He announced his
decision within two hours of the interviews Monday afternoon.
   The governor's office says Murry has a wealth of knowledge and experience for
 the position.
   AP-WF-02-07-12 0007GMT