Montana Attorney General Knudsen issues opinion that could force prominent lawmaker off ballot
Knudsen says the 16-year term-limit clock applies at election time, a reading that could force the state to replace Jones on the ballot.
- Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued a legal opinion on Tuesday stating term limits bar Rep. Llew Jones from the November ballot, potentially removing the long-serving lawmaker from the race.
- Senate President Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, requested the opinion last month to interpret whether the Montana Constitution's eight-year limit in any 16-year period prevented Jones from running for state Senate.
- Overturning a 2012 precedent that allowed legislators to switch chambers immediately, Knudsen's ruling challenges Jones's eligibility; Jones won his June primary 52%-48% and called the move "a politically motivated effort" to force his removal.
- House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, may also be affected by the ruling. Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen must certify ballot names by next Thursday, Aug. 20, as both legislators weigh legal options.
- Knudsen's opinion takes effect Friday when officially published in the state's administrative register, potentially disrupting the 2026 Legislature as it contradicts the historical practice of lawmakers returning after eight-year hiatuses.
14 Articles
14 Articles
AG decision could boot GOP primary winners from ballot
Montana House Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick said Thursday he’s going to have to file a lawsuit to stay on the ballot after a decision from Attorney General Austin Knudsen this week affected how term limits are calculated. Fitzpatrick, who ran unopposed for re-election in the Republican primary, called the decision from the attorney general a […]
ABC FOX Montana
KPVIAttorney general decision could boot GOP primary winners from ballot
Montana House Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick said Thursday he’s going to have to file a lawsuit to stay on the ballot after a decision from Attorney General Austin Knudsen this week affected how term limits are calculated. Fitzpatrick, who ran…
Cromwell-Knudsen conflict extends to case related to Livingston teacher’s death
Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell responded to Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen's request for information about her office's domestic violence plea agreement practices, related to the case of a Livingston teacher's death, while accusing Knudsen of escalating their feud via…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 79% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
![[Opinion] AG decision could see GOP lawmakers removed from ballot](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgrnd.b-cdn.net%2Finterests%2F7a91aacde3e9ea267d4857f5add6c3b37d54662f.jpg&w=1440&q=75)
