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, which ostensibly made 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, noting, "The goalposts should not be moved during the game" regarding election timing.
- Knudsen's office confirmed plans to appeal the ruling to the Montana Supreme Court, seeking an administrative stay before the Thursday, August 20 deadline for ballot certification.
- Local Republican central committees had already begun selecting replacement candidates in case the lawmakers were removed, reflecting deep political hostilities between party factions surrounding the case.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Judge allows Republican lawmakers to stay on ballot
Lewis and Clark District Court Judge Christopher Abbott on Wednesday ruled that two Republican lawmakers will be allowed to stay on November’s ballot, halting a new opinion last week by the attorney general that would have booted them. Rep. Llew Jones, Republican nominee for Senate District 9, and Rep. Steve Fitzpatrick, Republican nominee for House […]
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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