Amidst a flurry of campaign mailers and digital ads, Rep. Curtis Cochran, a St. Regis Republican, found humor in his neighbors’ reactions to the misleading portrayal. The image used by School Freedom Fund, a D.C.-based super PAC, was not him but a motivational speaker from San Diego. This incident highlights the heated political landscape in Montana, where School Freedom Fund, alongside others like Americans For Prosperity, has invested $2.3 million in promoting hardliners over centrist Republicans. These efforts aim to reshape the GOP by targeting those who supported bipartisan bills.
The political battle is intense, with Conservatives4MT, supporting moderate candidates, spending $1.8 million. Together, these four PACs represent 96% of spending in Montana’s 43 contested Republican primaries. Cochran, misidentified in the advertising chaos, lightheartedly observed, “I’m way better looking than he is.” His district, House District 90, stretches 89 miles through timber towns connected by U.S. Interstate 90, traditionally favoring Democrats but now solidly Republican due to shifts in industry and political priorities.
Historically, this region leaned Democratic, represented by figures like Barry “Spook” Stang. However, as political dynamics shifted, Republicans like Cochran gained ground. Despite the past Democratic dominance, current mailers target Republicans regarded as “RINOs.” Similar tensions occur statewide, with significant spending against centrist Republican senators in the Great Falls area.
Jeffrey Yass, a billionaire trader, funds School Freedom Fund with $15 million, while other PACs receive support from wealthy backers like the Koch family and Walmart’s Waltons. Yass is known for influencing political decisions, notably swaying Trump’s stance on the TikTok ban. Curtis Cochran criticizes these super PACs for attacking moderate Republicans, labeling them as disguised Democrats. Even high-profile Republicans like House Speaker Brandon Ler face challenges.
School Freedom Fund contributed $100,000 to Montana Senate Leadership PAC, which redirects funds to other PACs targeting non-conformist Republicans. Conservatives4MT challenges these efforts with significant financial backing, battling accusations of funding from liberal figures like George Soros. The political landscape is shaped by intertwined PACs and influential donors like Jason Carroll and Marc Merrill.
MTGOP identifies Sixteen Thirty Fund as a major player, linked to various progressive initiatives. This election cycle marks a change, with unprecedented PAC spending in Montana’s legislative races, potentially altering the state’s political future.
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