Baucus nominated girlfriend for post

HELENA – A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Max Baucus said the Montana Democrat was in a romantic relationship with the woman he recommended for U.S. attorney earlier this year.

Spokesman Ty Matsdorf said Friday that Baucus and his former state office director, Melodee Hanes, began the relationship in the summer of 2008. Baucus nominated Hanes for the U.S. attorney post last March.

Matsdorf said Baucus submitted three names to the White House with no ranking or preference.

Baucus and Hanes decided during the nomination process that she should withdraw her name from consideration because the couple wanted to live together in Washington, Matsdorf said.