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March 20, 2025
In an unexpected twist in the 2025 Legislature, Senate Republicans face growing discontent over “the Nine,” a group of GOP senators now collaborating with Democrats on pivotal issues. Leaked emails reveal a campaign to expel these Republicans permanently from the Montana GOP. This effort, led by Sen. Bob Phalen, R-Glendive, suggests barring the nine from running as Republicans in future elections.
Phalen urged others to echo this demand to party Chairman Don Kaltschmidt. Despite these efforts, there’s no legal framework in Montana to prevent individuals from affiliating with any party when running for office. Political parties can endorse or oppose candidates, independent of their declared affiliations.
Precedents from other states, such as Arkansas and Texas, indicate that parties can expel members, though this isn’t reflected in Montana’s bylaws. The coalition of nine GOP senators and Democrats facilitated the passage of the Medicaid expansion bill, a significant legislative move, alongside other initiatives that oppose conservative agendas.
These nine senators, sometimes dubbed the “Out of Line Nine,” often support policies aligned with Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, despite internal criticism.
Ravalli County Ruckus
Anthony Hudson, twice elected as precinct captain, faces barriers in the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee. Despite voter support, Hudson wasn’t seated, affecting decisions like legislative seat replacements. This exclusion stemmed from the absence of a county convention to assign new officers.
The central committee chose Terry Nelson to fill the vacancy left by Rep. Ron Marshall, who resigned amid disputes over vaping legislation. Hudson, conducting his own meeting, pursued nominations separately. The committee’s selection led Hudson to take legal action.
On March 18, District Judge Jennifer Lint ruled that the committee’s actions disenfranchised voters, citing the lack of opportunity for elected precinct captains to fulfill roles. Lint mandated the committee to rectify this, allowing community representation.
Chairman Ron Stoltz acknowledged procedural failures, citing a need for state-level notification. However, Lint dismissed this claim, asserting the necessity of following constitutional rights for voter representation.
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