Montana’s political landscape stirred as Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen emailed Cascade County commissioners in February, advising against hiring Democrat Rina Fontana Moore as elections administrator. Moore, who managed elections for 16 years as the county’s clerk and recorder, alleged political discrimination in the hiring process. A report from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Human Rights Bureau found reasonable cause for her claim. The investigation revealed that Austin James, Jacobsen’s elections director, recommended her unusual intervention.
In February, Cascade County commissioners conducted interviews for the elections administrator role, including Moore and her assistant Lynn DeRoche. Following public interviews, Jacobsen emailed the commissioners, expressing concerns that hiring Moore would “undermine the voters of Cascade County.” Subsequently, they appointed Terry Thompson, a former real estate association CEO, as the new administrator.
Jacobsen stated she seldom interacts with local election officials and wasn’t aware of the leadership change in Great Falls. According to the investigation, James argued against Moore’s appointment, citing citizen complaints and her criticism of the ElectMT election software, implemented in January 2023. He also noted her 2022 election loss as a reason to uphold election integrity.
The Human Rights Bureau found that Jacobsen’s position as the state’s top election official gave her opinion undue influence on the hiring process, leading to the discrimination finding. Moore, now without legal representation, expressed relief that her legal ordeal was nearing an end. The county commissioners settled the case with Moore for $52,500, acknowledging potential legal repercussions.
After her unsuccessful bid for the elections administrator role, Moore pursued a legislative seat in House District 20 but was defeated by Melissa Nikolakakos.
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