Montana Politics & News
Montana politics from The Daily Signal, examining state governance, energy development, property rights, federal land management conflicts, and Big Sky Country’s independent political culture.
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‘Grateful to God’: Montana Senator Steps Aside After 13 Years in Congress
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., made the following statement Wednesday announcing he will not seek reelection in 2026. Daines and President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. Serving the people of Montana in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate the past 13 years has been the greatest honor of my professional career. I’m grateful…Steve Daines -
Advocates of Bans on Foreign Money for Ballot Measures Urge Governor to Veto Montana Bill
Conservative groups who have successfully backed legislation in six states this year to ban foreign funding of ballot initiatives have one message for Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte about his state’s measure. Veto it. House Bill 818 passed the Montana Legislature but was watered down through amendment and lacks the same strong protections against foreign funding…Fred Lucas -
Drug Cartels ‘Are Winning’: Border Crisis Ravaging Arizona, Montana Indian Reservations
The Biden-Harris administration’s border crisis has had negative implications for all Americans, but one group that has suffered more than most—but received less attention than others—are American Indians living on reservations along the border. As part of their efforts to smuggle drugs and traffic human beings across the southern border, Mexican cartels have specifically targeted…Bennett Watts -
Poll: Sheehy Tops Incumbent Tester in Montana Senate Race
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—A new poll shows Republican challenger Tim Sheehy taking the lead over incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, in the battle for a U.S. Senate seat in Montana that pundits say could determine what party controls the U.S. Senate. Fully 50% of those polled said they would pick Sheehy over Tester…Tom Gantert -
Montana Judge Strikes Down Law Clarifying There Are Only 2 Sexes
A Montana judge is striking down a state law defining “sex” as either male or female, claiming that the law violates the Montana State Constitution. In an order issued on Tuesday, Montana District Court Judge Shane Vannatta, the first Montana judge to openly identify as homosexual, declared Senate Bill 458 to be facially unconstitutional according to Montana state…S.A. McCarthy -
Montana Hit With Lawsuit Over Sex-Change Policy for Birth Certificates, Driver’s Licenses
Two transgender people sued Montana on Thursday, challenging a state policy that bars residents from changing the sex designations on their birth certificates unless they meet certain criteria. Jessica Kalarchik and an individual identified only as “Jane Doe” are listed as plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging a state policy that, they argue, makes it “impossible” for transgender…Jason Hopkins -
Montana Judge Strikes Down 3 Laws Limiting Abortion
Three laws in Montana limiting abortion are unconstitutional, a state judge ruled Thursday, according to the Daily Montanan. The laws ban abortion after 20 weeks and by way of telehealth services, as well as require a 24-hour waiting period and two ultrasounds. District Court Judge Kurt Krueger sided with Planned Parenthood of Montana, which filed the lawsuit and…Kate Anderson -
Montana State Library Commission Cuts Ties With American Library Association Over New ‘Marxist Lesbian’ President
The Montana State Library Commission voted Tuesday to withdraw from the American Library Association based on that organization’s new president, who is a “Marxist lesbian” by her own description. The lopsided vote (5-1, with one abstention) represents the first time a state entity has withdrawn from the 147-year-old nonprofit. “Our oath of office and resulting duty to the…Joshua Arnold -
Montana Governor Signs Slew of Pro-Life Legislation
The Republican governor of Montana signed five pieces of pro-life legislation into law on Wednesday, stating, “Montanans sent us to Helena to boldly defend life, not send their tax dollars to abortion clinics.” Gov. Greg Gianforte added: “Montanans’ hard-earned money should not be used by the government to fund elective abortions.” “This package of pro-family,…Mary Margaret Olohan -
How Montana’s Revamped Focus Makes for Better K-12 Civics Education
Civics education has become a flashpoint in American politics. Many schools are asking how students should learn about themselves and their country in a way that fully encompasses American history, both good and bad. Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen recently updated the state’s standards for social studies to better teach students about civics…Douglas Blair -
Montana Governor Signs Law Banning Males From Girls Sports
Despite other Republican governors folding beneath political pressure, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has not shied away from taking the bull by the horns. On Friday, Gianforte signed HB 112, a bill prohibiting biological males from competing in girls sports—a commonsense protection that has been, sadly, recently rejected by two of his Republican counterparts. Gianforte has not been one…Nicolas Reynolds -
Mail-In Voting Audit of Montana’s 2020 Elections Finds Significant Number of Irregularities
MISSOULA COUNTY, Mont.—A mountainous, 2,600-square-mile region with a population of approximately 119,600 does not seem like your prototypical setting for machine politics. Yet a recent audit of mail-in ballots cast there found irregularities characteristic of larger urban centers—on a level that could have easily swung local elections in 2020 and statewide elections in cycles past….John R Lott Jr. -
Montana Lawmaker Outlines Troubling Implications of Biden’s Executive Actions
Freshman Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., has entered the House with a bold plan to develop America’s natural resources and push back on the agenda of the far left. Rosendale joined “The Daily Signal Podcast” during a recent trip to the U.S.- Mexico border to discuss why he ran for Congress, his former service in the…Rachel del Guidice -
Freedom of Religion Narrowly Upheld in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue
Today, the Supreme Court reaffirmed what most Americans no doubt take for granted, that the Constitution prohibits religious discrimination. The 5-4 divide among the justices in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, however, shows that religious freedom is not fully secure in America. Different state and local governments have developed “school choice” programs that make…Thomas Jipping -
If Half the Country’s COVID-19 Deaths Were in Montana, Would New York Shut Down?
According to The New York Times coronavirus report, as of Sunday, April 19, 2:48 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, there were 35,676 COVID-19 deaths in the United States. Of those deaths, 18,690 were in the New York metropolitan area. (The New York metropolitan area is generally regarded as consisting of the five boroughs of New York…Dennis Prager