Candy took the opportunity to go vacant as well, a state she had perfected as a child.

NEWYORKER: The Visitor

State Rep. DAVNIE: Many of them are sitting vacant for extended periods of time.

NPR: Legacy of Subprime Lending Hits Midwest Hard

The governorship was left vacant when Republican incumbent Judy Martz, the state's first female chief executive, declined to run for re-election following a rocky term, one marred by budget problems and an approval rating that fell to near the 20 percent mark.

CNN: Schweitzer wins Montana governorship