Montana Politics: Latest News

Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon, who announced five months ago she would not run for re-election for a second term, said Sunday she’s changed her mind and will be running in 2020.

New work requirements for some of Montana’s 96,000 low-income residents covered by Medicaid expansion won’t be in place Jan. 1, when they become law, state health officials say.

Public Service Commission Chairman Brad Johnson on Wednesday defended his initial, disputed description of an Oct. 30 PSC vote on a NorthWestern Energy electric rate increase, saying he “was not trying to hide anything from anybody.”

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, still in the Democratic presidential race despite low polling numbers, officially filed Tuesday to appear on the ballot in New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary next February.

The first scheduled debate among Montana’s 2020 Republican gubernatorial candidates will be in Helena in two weeks – although one of the candidates, Greg Gianforte, won’t be there.

Six elected Republican officials from Montana act as chairman for the committee.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said Friday the possible impeachment of President Trump shouldn’t be affecting business in the Senate – but that majority Republican leadership is still holding up many unrelated bills from reaching the floor.

U.S. House candidate Matt Rains is a rarity in Montana politics – a rural Democrat – and says his emphasis on issues important to rural Montana would make him an appealing candidate in the general election.

A fourth Republican jumped into Montana’s 2020 race for secretary of state Tuesday, saying he’s the best candidate to keep the election-administrator office in Republican hands next year.

Open enrollment for Montanans buying individual health insurance for 2020 on the “Obamacare” marketplace began Friday – at lower premiums than for the current year.

The backers of a voter-initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in Montana said Monday they’ve formed a new group, with national backing, to get measures on the 2020 ballot and pass it.

In Montana’s crowded U.S. House race, the two fundraising leaders have similar war-chests, dollar-wise – but one of the candidates is getting a lot more money from Montanans.

Helena attorney and former state Auditor John Morrison is in the field with a poll, testing the political waters on whether he might run for Montana attorney general or state Supreme Court in 2020.

Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Monica Lindeen, a former state auditor, is stepping down after a year on the job, the party announced Monday.

A state district judge Friday stopped Gov. Steve Bullock’s ban on flavored e-cigarette products from taking effect next week, until a hearing later this month.

A popular state program that provides job-training for the disabled will endure a multimillion-dollar hit on its budget, because of a federal penalty levied on the state for overspending prior funds, state officials confirmed.

Montana’s only U.S. House member, Republican Greg Gianforte, joined 128 fellow Republicans and all House Democrats in supporting a resolution Wednesday that opposes President Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops in northern Syria.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Cooney proposed an unusual pledge Wednesday designed to discourage outside money and self-financed candidates in the 2020 contest – and challenged his primary opponents to sign it.

Republican Matt Rosendale and Democrat Kathleen Williams have solidified their leads in fundraising for Montana’s open 2020 U.S. House contest, as they each posted impressive numbers on Tuesday.

Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, running for a second term in 2020, continues to leave his potential opponents in the fundraising dust, reporting Tuesday that he raised $1.1 million in the past three months.

Secretary of State Corey Stapleton not only improperly used a state pickup truck to commute from Helena to his home in Billings, but also drove it on weekends and holidays during the first 27 months on the job, according to a published report.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Casey Schreiner rolled out his first major policy proposal this week, calling for tuition-free education at Montana’s two-year college programs, for eligible students.

Republican Greg Gianforte turned in another impressive quarter of fundraising for his 2020 gubernatorial run this weekend, bringing his four-month total to $1.09 million – more than twice as much as any other rival in either party.

Gov. Steve Bullock says his presidential campaign raised nearly $2.3 million in the past three months, bringing his total for the five-month campaign to $4.3 million.

Supporters of a Capitol statue of former Gov. Judy Martz officially kicked off their fundraising drive Wednesday, aiming to raise $165,000 in private donations to finance the project.

One of several female employees who last year accused state Corrections Director Reg Michael of sexual harassment or inappropriate actions toward women in the office has sued the agency, alleging wrongful discharge.

Montana’s only congressman, Republican Greg Gianforte, told Democrats on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee that they’re suffering from “impeachment fever” and ignoring pressing issues facing the nation.

Candidates, local officials and climate activists addressed a raucous crowd here as part of Global Climate Strike activities, saying widespread political action and activism are needed now to fight global warming.

President Trump announced Friday that he’ll nominate former Montana Solicitor General Lawrence VanDyke for a spot on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The state has agreed to pay $75,000 to a state lawmaker to cover his attorney fees for successfully challenging a secrecy provision in Montana's ethics law.