News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2023
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

A new NBC News report details how Jon Tester has broken yet another campaign promise, taking over $100,000 from former politicians turned lobbyists despite promising Montanans he wouldn’t.

This is just the latest report to show ethics violations and broken promises piling up against Tester–from hiding meetings with lobbyists to failing to publish his full public schedule.

Read more here:

• NBC News: Montana Sen. Jon Tester’s ethics crusade clashes with his campaign war chest
• Politico: Tester didn’t disclose meeting at Boeing and raked in lobbyists’ cash while weighing FAA nom
• Associated Press: Defense industry dollars flowed to a Democratic senator after he gained a key role on spending
• Politico: Jon Tester wanted to soften hemp regulations and turned to industry officials to help craft the bill

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2023
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

Helena, Mont. – Since 2006 two-faced Tester has failed to fulfill multiple promises he made in a public ethics pledge. Don’t believe us? Check it out HERE.

“It’s a shame that Senator Tester has become so far removed from his Montana values that he will do anything just to get reelected. Despite his promise to disclose lobbyist meetings, Tester has repeatedly failed to post his schedule, and was caught hiding meetings with a lobbyist. On top of that, Tester is the number one recipient of lobbyist cash in the Senate, and even hired a registered lobbyist to run his campaign,” Chairman Kaltschmidt said.

“Montanans see through Tester’s hypocritical charade and lies. He is an embarrassment to the state of Montana and he’s an embarrassment to this country. Voters will stand up to the swamp in 2024 and retire Jon Tester.”

Background:

• Tester was caught hiding meeting with lobbyist.
• Tester is the #1 recipient of lobbyist cash.
• Tester registered a lobbyist to run his campaign.
• Tester immediately attends a SVB fundraiser after the bank got bailed out by taxpayers.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 14, 2023 Contact: madison@mtgop.org HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement in response to Ryan Busse’s decision to run for Governor of Montana: “Ryan Busse is straight out of the far left’s central casting – an anti-gun extremist and radical environmentalist who wants to shut down Colstrip, drive up Montanans’ electricity bills, and keep gas prices growing at Joe Biden- level highs.” Chairman Kaltschmidt said. ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2023
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement in remembrance of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States:

“Twenty-two years ago today, our nation stood still as we watched the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11 unfold. Today, we mourn the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost on September 11, 2001. Let us pause and remember the heroic efforts of each survivor, first responder, and the families and communities that were broken. Americans answered with patriotism, courage, and solidarity on one of the darkest days in United States history. While our country has prevailed, the threat of terrorism still exists,” Chairman Kaltschmidt said.

“Our nations heroes stand ready to defend America from all enemies, and for them we are forever grateful. May we never forget September 11th, and may we never forget those who lost their lives for our freedoms ever since.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2023
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt issued the following statement after meritless accusations Attorney General Austin Knudsen was accused of violating rules of professional conduct:

“Montana Democrats are willing to pull any slimy tactic to advance their far-left agenda. The charges filed against Attorney General Knudsen are nothing more than a political stunt as we head into an election year,” Chairman Kaltschmidt said.

“Despite having the complaint for more than 2 years, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) decided to proceed just days after Democrat Ben Alke notified lawyers around the state that he would be announcing his campaign for Attorney General this month. While Democrats obsess over playing political games, Montana Republicans will continue working for the people of Montana and keeping our state the Last Best Place.”

For background:

• The original complaint filed back in 2021 came from California lawyer Clara Ellen Roberts.
• Members of the Commission on Practice have made over 200 political contributions to Democrat and liberal judicial candidates totaling more than $50,000.
• Members of the Commission on Practice have made 39 political contributions, totaling $8,605 to current members of the Supreme Court.
• ODC Special Counsel Tim Strauch is a longtime Democrat donor and activist and is an active supporter of the Montana Supreme Court; he has contributed to 5 current members of the Court.
• Strauch has made 27 contributions totaling over $5,500 to Democrat and liberal judicial candidates.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2023
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

Liberal Millionaire Bozeman Trial Lawyer to Announce for Attorney General
HELENA, Mont. – According to a recently obtained email from his campaign, Millionaire Bozeman Trial Lawyer Ben Alke plans to announce he is running for Montana Attorney General during the third week of September. On July 25, Alke provided the Commissioner of Political Practices with the required paperwork for his statement of candidacy. He has not released any further information to the public since that time, nor has he launched a campaign website.

Ben Alke has deep ties to liberal legal establishments. He is a former law clerk for Obama-Appointee Judge Brian Morris who’s most notable judicial rulings include shutting down the Keystone Pipeline and blocking energy development on federal land. Alke also worked for well-known trial lawyer and Democrat mega-donor Jim Goetz. Additionally, Alke has was worked with a number for liberal political organizations including the ACLU.

Based on the statements made in his email to supporters, it is unclear why Alke chose to run against Attorney General Knudsen, as his campaign goals seem to be the same accomplishments Knudsen has already achieved since taking office in 2020.

Attorney General Knudsen has fought for and won record funding for the Montana Highway Patrol including pay raises for state troopers and new resources for local law enforcement agencies including the widely popular grant program that provides funding for drug detecting K-9’s. Knudsen has led the fight against human trafficking by adding more agents and working to increase penalties for traffickers. As Attorney General, Knudsen has been at the forefront of fighting federal government overreach and is part of more than a dozen lawsuits against the Biden Administration.

Alke was admitted to the Oregon and Montana Bar 2006. According to property tax records, Alke and his wife purchased their $1.5 Million Bozeman home in 2016. He is the son of long-time Montana lobbyist John Alke whose clients over the past 20 years have include an amalgamation of corporate and political interests.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2023
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement in response to failed congressional candidate Monica Tranel’s decision to run for U.S. Congress again:

“Monica Tranel is another rubber stamp for the radical liberal agenda. The far-left Democrat has already been defeated four times by Montana voters. She continues to be a threat to the safety and livelihoods of Montanans. Tranel is too extreme for our state and voters will send that message yet again when filling out their ballot.” – Montana Republican Party Chair Don “K” Kaltschmidt

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2023
Contact: press@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – The 68th Legislative Session adjourned sine die last night. Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt provided the following statement in response to a successful legislative session:

“Montana voters sent a Republican supermajority to Helena with a conservative mandate. Our Republican leaders worked early on in the session to return overpaid tax dollars to Montanans and provide the largest tax cut in Montana state history,” Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt said.

“Governor Gianforte and Republican Legislators enacted bills that remove government regulations to assist with housing affordability for Montanans, held our government accountable at all levels, expanded educational opportunities for our youth, defended our individual freedoms, and continued to protect the Montana way of life.

Republicans were good stewards of our taxpayer dollars with a balanced budget that holds the line on Government spending and record-high inflation. The Montana Republican Party is proud to support our leaders in Helena and I know that our best days are still ahead of us.

While the legislative session may be over, we know there is much more work to be done and look forward to building on our accomplishments and working together to keep Montana, Montana.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2023
Contact: press@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt issued the following statement after Democrat Jon Tester voted for Anthony Johnstone to the Ninth Circuit today:

“Jon Tester is out of step with Montanans and has a voting record to prove it. His vote to confirm Anthony Johnstone to the Ninth Circuit today is a rubber stamp for President Biden’s radical agenda that threatens our Montana way of life. Montana gets one seat on the Ninth Circuit and it must be someone that will protect our Montana values. In a nearly evenly divided Senate, Jon Tester could have made a difference by stopping this radical nominee but he chose to side with Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden. Montanans will not forget,” Chairman Kaltschmidt said.

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