Two longtime Montana lawmakers sue to stay on ballot after attorney general's ruling
The lawsuit argues the opinion came too late for ballot certification and could force the party to replace 2 legislative candidates.
- Rep. Llew Jones and Rep. Steve Fitzpatrick filed a lawsuit Friday against Attorney General Austin Knudsen, seeking to maintain their spots on the November ballot following his recent term-limit opinion.
- Knudsen's opinion reverses a 2012 interpretation by former Attorney General Steve Bullock, which previously allowed lawmakers to serve eight years in one chamber before switching to the other, effectively resetting their term-limit clock.
- Citing the ruling, the Montana Republican Party selected Ted Kronebusch to replace Jones on the ballot Monday, while the Cascade County Republican Central Committee plans to meet Tuesday to address Fitzpatrick's vacancy.
- Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Christopher Abbott scheduled a hearing for Tuesday afternoon to consider the lawmakers' request to block Knudsen's directive, which they argue ignores the statutory construct.
- Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen faces an August 20 deadline to certify candidates, leaving the election status of Jones and Fitzpatrick uncertain as the legal battle over term limits continues.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Pair of Montana GOP lawmakers fight to stay on the ballot as certification deadline rapidly approaches
A pair of prominent Republican state lawmakers are fighting to stay on the ballot this fall following a new legal opinion from the Montana Attorney General regarding term limits. With the ballot certification deadline rapidly approaching, the judge overseeing the…
Daily Montanan
KPVIDistrict Court judge says he’ll rule quickly on term limit lawsuit
Montana District Court Judge Chris Abbott said on Tuesday afternoon he will decide quickly on a lawsuit filed by two longtime Republican state legislators over Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s reinterpretation of the state’s term limit statue. Knudsen published his opinion just days before the secretary of state must certify who will be on the November […]
Helena Independent Record
The Billings GazetteAs GOP lawmakers take term limits dispute to court, state party names their replacements
Two Republican legislators whose reelection bids have been jeopardized by a recent legal opinion from the state attorney general made their case in court in Helena on Tuesday to remain on the ballot in November.
Republicans vote to replace Rep. Llew Jones on the ballot for state Senate in response to term limit dispute
One of the Legislature’s most powerful members could be replaced on the general election ballot, against his will, by his longtime friend after a Monday night vote by the State Republican Party. A 12-member subcommittee of the party convened by Zoom Aug. 17 and chose Ted Kronebusch, chairman of the Pondera County Republican Central Committee and retired businessman, to replace Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, in the race for Senate District 9. Kronebu…
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