Judge to Issue Ruling Wednesday as Two Montana Lawmakers Sue to Stay on Ballot
The ruling keeps two veteran lawmakers on the ballot while the attorney general argues the district court misread Montana’s term-limits law.
- On Wednesday, Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Christopher Abbott blocked Attorney General Austin Knudsen's opinion, allowing Republican lawmakers Llew Jones and Steve Fitzpatrick to remain on the November ballot.
- Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued an opinion last week—requested by Senate President Matt Regier—interpreting term limits to bar lawmakers from switching chambers, ostensibly making Jones and Fitzpatrick ineligible to run.
- Abbott ruled the original intent of 1992 term limits did not require legislators to sit out after switching chambers. "The goalposts should not be moved during the game," Abbott added regarding the election timing.
- Knudsen's office confirmed plans to appeal to the Montana Supreme Court, seeking an administrative stay before the secretary of state's legal deadline to certify ballots on Thursday, August 20.
- Local Republican central committees had already begun selecting replacement candidates in case Jones and Fitzpatrick were removed from the ballot, reflecting the deep political hostilities underlying the dispute.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
milescitystar.comMontana Supreme Court denies Knudsen’s bid to block legislators from November ballot
In yet another development this week in the legal dispute between Republican legislators and the Republican attorney general, the Montana Supreme Court Wednesday evening denied a request to intervene in the case.
Judge Allows Legislators to Remain on the Ballot, but Attorney General Vows to Appeal
Two Republican candidates for the state Legislature will remain eligible for the general election ballot, a Lewis and Clark County District Court judge ruled Wednesday, as a case about term limits that’s wrought with long-simmering political hostilities proceeds. The lawsuit was brought in response to a new legal opinion on term limit laws issued by Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen last week. The opinion overturned precedent and osten…
GOP vs. GOP: Judge allows legislators to remain on the ballot, but attorney general vows to appeal
Two Republican candidates for the state Legislature will remain eligible for the general election ballot, a Lewis and Clark County District Court judge has ruled, as a case about term limits that's wrought with long-simmering political hostilities proceeds. The post Judge allows legislators to remain on the ballot, but attorney general vows to appeal appeared first on Montana Free Press.
Missoulian
The Billings Gazette‘At the last possible hour,’ Montana Supreme Court denies AG petition in term limits dispute
Judge Christopher Abbott sided with Reps. Llew Jones and Steve Fitzpatrick, blocking an official opinion from the attorney general that would have booted them from the ballot.
Helena Independent Record
Montana StandardHelena judge grants preliminary injunction to keep two Republican lawmakers on the ballot
Judge Christopher Abbott sided with Reps. Llew Jones and Steve Fitzpatrick, blocking an official opinion from the attorney general that would have booted them from the ballot.
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