Shortly after the presidential election, Casey Bailey, one of the dwindling number of Democrats in Montana, organized a Facebook group for his neighbors to vent about national politics. The driving question on everybodys mind for those first weeks and months What can we do? had no obvious answer. By February, one started to emerge: President Donald Trump had nominated Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana to be secretary of the Interior Department, and as Zinke rode his horse to his first day on the job, his old job became vacant.

To the surprise of Bailey and much of the rest of Montana, a familiar name emerged in the race to fill the job. Rob Quist, the legendary banjo-strumming folk singer with a populist streak and a penchant for public service, was running as a Democrat for Zinkes seat.

Democrats chose their nominee at a state convention, where, as the first ballot turned to the second and then third, it gradually became apparent that Quist was deadly serious. He had barnstormed the state, urging locals to set up county parties, get active and come vote for him at the state convention. Bailey, whose journey into political activism had begun with a simple Facebook page, found himself a delegate at the gathering. The 37-year-old organic grain farmer cast his vote for Quist, who won on the fourth ballot.

In a state with 56 counties, at least six saw new Democratic central committees pop up in response to Quists statewide tour, said Nancy Keenan, the executive director of the Montana Democratic Party.

When Quist arrived last month in Fort Benton, Chouteau Countys biggest town, nearly 70 people gathered to hear him speak.

Were a very Republican, red, conservative area, Bailey told The Huffington Post by phone in a recent interview, describing the first rally they held with Quist in March. I was like, Holy cow!

Now, his rallies regularly draw hundreds. Its precisely the kind of organizing Democrats say is essential to rebuilding the party and taking back power. But back in Washington, Democrats are conflicted on how or whether to get involved in the race. Some arent following it at all.

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) was the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees national mobilization chair in 2016. Montana special election? Clyburn said, when HuffPost asked if the DCCC planned to get more involved in the race. Somebody nearby told him the race was to replace Zinke. Oh, I didnt know about that, Clyburn said.