Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar is entering the race for the U.S. Senate seat in Montana, setting up what could become one of the state’s most closely watched political contests. Bodnar, a former Army officer and business leader, is launching his campaign with the support of prominent Democratic figures including former Montana Sen. Read More…
In a surprise move that stunned Montana’s political circles, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew from the 2026 Senate race just minutes before the state’s candidate filing deadline, abruptly ending his reelection bid and reshaping the field for one of the state’s most powerful offices. Daines, a Republican who has represented Montana in the U.S. Senate Read More…
Conservative commentator and radio host Aaron Flint has announced he will run for Congress in Montana’s 1st Congressional District, seeking the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke. Flint, best known as the host of the statewide radio program Montana Talks, said he is entering the race to bring what he describes as a Read More…
Gov. Greg Gianforte joined the Mountain States Policy Center (MSPC) last week to outline his tax cut priorities ahead of the 2027 legislative session, emphasizing a renewed push to move Montana to a flat income tax. Speaking at an event in Helena alongside MSPC Founder and President Chris Cargill, the governor highlighted what he described Read More…
As President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, Montana’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse has remained notably silent on the matter. The Montana Republican Party is expressing frustration over Busse’s lack of comment. Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt criticized Busse for not addressing Biden’s Read More…
The House Appropriations Committee took a significant step forward by passing the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025 out of Full Committee Markup. This legislation includes substantial provisions aimed at addressing critical infrastructure needs and housing challenges in Western Montana. Among the key components of the bill Read More…
In anticipation of the upcoming November General Election, the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 candidate grades and endorsements, aimed at guiding pro-gun voters in their choices at the polls. MSSA has given Senator Jon Tester an F rating. Republican Tim Sheey received and AQ rating was endorsed by the Read More…
In anticipation of the upcoming November General Election, the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 candidate grades and endorsements, aimed at guiding pro-gun voters in their choices at the polls. MSSA has given Attorney General Austin Knudsen an A rating and the group endorsed him for the 2024 Election. Each Read More…
On Tuesday evening, Tim Sheehy, a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Montana, took the stage at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to deliver a speech urging the need to “save America.” Sheehy was among several GOP Senate hopefuls who addressed the convention, each aiming to bolster their campaigns and rally support. Sheehy’s candidacy Read More…
n anticipation of the upcoming November General Election, the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 candidate grades and endorsements, aimed at guiding pro-gun voters in their choices at the polls. MSSA has given Chief Justice candidate Jeremiah Lynch an F rating. The group endorsed Lynch’s opponent, Broadwater County Attorney Cory Read More…
Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices, Chris Gallus, decisively dismissed a complaint on Wednesday alleging misuse of taxpayer funds by Governor Greg Gianforte for his reelection efforts. The complaint, filed by Democratic candidates Ryan Busse and Raph Graybill, accused Gianforte of leveraging state resources through postcards sent to Montana taxpayers to bolster his campaign. In a Read More…
REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN CALLS ON JUDGE MENAHAN TO RECUSE HIMSELF In a strongly-worded statement, Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt called on Judge Mike Menahan to recuse himself from the CI-128 case. Kaltschmidt accused the judge of bias, alleging that Menahan has consistently favored pro-abortion activists throughout his career. “Judge Menahan has sold out Read More…
In anticipation of the upcoming November General Election, the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 candidate grades and endorsements, aimed at guiding pro-gun voters in their choices at the polls. MSSA has given Governor Greg Gianforte an A rating and the group endorsed him for the 2024 Election. Gianforte’s Democrat Read More…
In a contentious legal battle unfolding in Montana, two organizations are taking the state’s Secretary of State to court over signature acceptance rules for proposed constitutional initiatives. These initiatives face uncertain prospects for appearing on the November ballot. The dispute centers on the inclusion of signatures from “inactive voters” — individuals who have not participated Read More…
Montana State University Extension’s Local Government Center is gearing up to assist numerous municipalities and counties in Montana as they embark on their decennial local government reviews. With 43 municipalities and 12 counties opting to participate, the center will play a crucial role in providing necessary support and training to study commissioners. According to Dan Read More…
Montana’s latest legislative effort to enhance government transparency went into effect on July 1 with the implementation of House Bill 890, aimed at providing the public with clearer insights into local government proceedings. Sponsored by Rep. Brad Barker, R-Luther, HB 890 mandates that many local government boards across the state record their meetings and publish Read More…
In a significant legal development, a federal court has granted Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s request to halt the Biden administration’s controversial new rule concerning gender-transition treatments. The rule, proposed under Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), aimed to tie federal funding to compliance with mandates requiring healthcare providers to offer Read More…
Democratic Senator Jon Tester, currently in his bid for a fourth term in predominantly Republican Montana, faces a pivotal race in 2024. His reelection is crucial for Democrats, who are defending three Senate seats in states won by Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections—Ohio and West Virginia being the others. Tester is Read More…
Jon Tester, the Democratic Senator from Montana, is striving to retain his seat in a state that strongly supported Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Despite Montana’s conservative leaning, Tester has managed to secure victories in several tough elections over the past decade, maintaining his popularity with the state’s right-leaning voters. This November, Tester Read More…
June 21st marked a crucial deadline for advocates aiming to place ballot measures before Montana voters this year. It was the final day to submit tens of thousands of petition signatures to county election offices across the state. Now, county officials must review the signatures and confirm their validity. To get initiatives on the ballot, Read More…
Montana’s Senator Steve Daines joined a group of Republican senators in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers after individuals with suspected ties to ISIS were apprehended at the southern border, underwent vetting and were then released into the United States. “We write to express our grave concerns regarding reports Read More…
The Biden Administration has announced the launch of the Columbia River Task Force by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), aimed at implementing President Biden’s longstanding plan to remove dams on the Snake River system. These dams currently supply western Montana with affordable and reliable electricity, constituting between 60-70% of the power in the Pacific Read More…
On Sunday morning, Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester and his Republican challenger Tim Sheehy squared off in their first general election debate, set to be one of the most closely monitored races this year. The hour-long debate, hosted by the Montana Broadcasters Association and the Greater Montana Foundation, took place at Fairmont Hot Springs in Read More…
U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined his Republican colleagues in calling out the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee corruption and sending a letter to the VA demanding the department repay nearly $11 million in unjustified bonuses that were distributed to senior executives within the VA and calling for the immediate dismissal of the responsible officials. “The egregious mishandling Read More…
(The Center Square) – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is leading a coalition of states in defending American firearm makers from being held responsible for Mexico’s gun violence. The government of Mexico says gun companies should be responsible for gun violence there because manufacturers know some of their products are trafficked into Mexico. In January, the First Read More…
In addition to the array of statewide elections on the ballot, Montanans will cast their votes for 125 state lawmakers this year, comprising half of the Montana Senate and the entire Montana House of Representatives. The upcoming 2025 legislative session is already set to see significant changes, partly due to the new legislative district lines Read More…
Montana State Auditor Troy Downing is seeking the Republican nomination but allegations of violent threats and an attempt to underpay child support may derail his campaign. Fellow Republicans have drawn attention to Downing divorce records that show accusations of threatening to kill his wife and he failed to pay the proper amount of child support. Read More…
Recent campaign finance filings reveal that with just a month remaining until Montana’s June 4 primary, Governor Greg Gianforte holds substantial financial advantages over his opponents. During the fundraising period from March 16 to April 15, the incumbent Republican, Gianforte, amassed $157,000 for the primary and an additional $72,000 for the General Election, totaling $921,000 Read More…
Recent campaign finance filings reveal that with just a month remaining until Montana’s June 4 primary, Attorney General Austin Knudsen holds substantial financial advantages over his opponents. Incumbent Republican Knudsen secured over $56,000 during the month raising his total raised to $394,000. With expenditures totaling approximately $19,000, he concludes the period with over $230,000 in Read More…
Recent campaign finance filings reveal that with just a month remaining until Montana’s June 4 primary, Bowen Greenwood holds substantial financial advantages over his opponents in the race for Clerk of Supreme Court. Incumbent Republican Bowen Greenwood collected close to $25,000 in contributions during the month leading up to the primary, with expenditures totaling around Read More…
Earlier this month, a Montana environmental activist group took legal action against the state Department of Justice, alleging a violation of their constitutional right to access information by withholding communications between the department and a Canadian coal mining company. The Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC)has long fought natural resource development in Montana. The group has Read More…
HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with 24 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Biden Administration’s unlawful electric vehicle (EV) mandate that threatens the economy, puts jobs at risk, and undermines the reliability of the electric grid. This is the 42nd lawsuit Attorney General Knudsen has filed against the Biden Read More…
Recent polling data from J.L. Partners, obtained by several Montana news outlets, sheds light on the closely contested U.S. Senate race in Montana. The race pits incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Tester against Republican newcomer Tim Sheehy, with results showing a tight competition. According to the poll, Sheehy currently holds a slight lead over Tester, with Read More…
HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with ten other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Biden administration’s unconstitutional student loan forgiveness scheme. The lawsuit is the 40th that Attorney General Knudsen has filed against the Biden administration. Department of Education is wrongfully interpreting the Higher Education Act and bypassing Congress by Read More…
HELENA — After several weeks of legal wrangling, the Montana Supreme Court has sidestepped several statutes and procedural rules to allow a pro-abortion ballot measure to move forward. Supporters of the measure believe they’re close to starting their signature-gathering efforts. Throughout the process the measure has been informally known as “Ballot Issue 14,” but Montana Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte has raised more than $1.1 million in the 60 days since he announced his bid for reelection on January 16 according to a release from his campaign. “With Governor Gianforte’s pro-family, pro-jobs, pro-business policies and his strong record of protecting our Montana way of life, Montanans are overwhelmingly supporting Governor Gianforte’s reelection, Read More…
HELENA — Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with 23 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Biden administration’s new air quality rule that would significantly impact state economies and raise energy costs for Montana manufacturers, utilities, and families. This is the 38th lawsuit Attorney General Knudsen has filed against the Biden administration. The Read More…
(The Center Square) – Over two-thirds of voters in Mountain West states say they are worried about land, water and wildlife in the region, according to a recent poll. The Conservation in the West Poll, by the State of the Rockies Projects at Colorado College, found 67% of voters expressed worry about “about the future of nature, meaning Read More…
In a recent SurveyUSA poll commissioned by NonStop Local, the results show that Governor Greg Gianforte is currently in the lead with a 22-point advantage over Democrat candidate Ryan Busse. According to the poll, 52% of Montanans expressed their intent to vote for Governor Gianforte, while only 30% favored Busse. The remaining 18% either remain Read More…
Former Montana Governor Marc Racicot has joined a court filing aimed at preventing former President Donald Trump from appearing on the 2024 ballot. Racicot, alongside former governors Bill Weld of Massachusetts and Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey, submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is deliberating on whether Colorado can exclude Read More…
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen spearheaded a coalition urging the Biden administration to maintain the operations of a significant commercial ammunition manufacturing plant. This call to action was prompted by requests from Democrat attorneys general to investigate the plant, a move that could disrupt production, diminish ammunition supply, and compromise national security. In a letter Read More…
Despite being characterized by various media outlets as a key moderate figure, Senator Jon Tester of Montana demonstrated strong support for President Joe Biden’s positions on legislation and nominees, aligning with them over 99% of the time during the 117th Congress, as per a scrutiny of his voting record. Tester, facing a challenging re-election bid, Read More…
Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s office has rejected a proposed ballot measure aimed at safeguarding access to abortion in the Montana Constitution. The ruling, issued this week, deems the proposed amendment legally insufficient, citing a violation of Montana’s requirement that unrelated constitutional changes be voted on separately. Advocated by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, the measure Read More…
Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz is set to join Representative Matt Rosendale in the state next week for campaign events ahead of a potential Senate bid, as reported by national media outlets. The duo will participate in campaign activities in Bozeman, Townsend, and Helena on Friday and Saturday. Rosendale is considering challenging Democratic Senator Jon Read More…