News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2022
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Representative for House District 80 Becky Beard has been selected to fill the seat of resigning Senator Terry Gauthier of Senate District 40 in the upcoming legislative session.

Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt issued the following statement following Beard’s appointment:

“Now Senator Beard is respected by her legislative colleagues, the executive branch, and her constituents for her knowledge, experience, and goodwill. In the State Senate, she will be able to represent the people of Montana with her conservative background and legislative expertise. The GOP is pleased to have someone like Beard who will defend the Montana way of life. I am confident that Beard will contribute to a legislation that will lead Montana down the path of an efficient and responsive state government,” Kaltschmidt said.

A special meeting will be held to fill Beard’s House District 80 seat that is now vacant.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2022
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement in response to small businesses struggling to pay rent this holiday season:

“Over 99% of businesses in Montana are small businesses. They line the streets of every Montana town, drive our growing economy and support our communities with jobs. Last month, more than 40% of U.S. small business owners said they could not pay rent on time or in full due thanks to rising costs. As Bidenflation continues to hurt Montana families, Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress take zero action. Under the Democrat leadership, we’ve seen the highest increase in inflation in 40 years, and Montanans have suffered enough. As hard-working business owners struggle to make ends meet, Montanans know Democrats like Jon Tester are wreaking havoc on their wallet this holiday season,” said Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt.

According to the U.S Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, over 249,000 of Montanans are employed by small businesses across our state.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2022
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement after Montana House and Senate Republicans elected new legislative leadership for the 68th Legislature:

“Voters sent a strong message to Helena last week by electing a Republican supermajority in the Montana House of Representative and the Montana Senate,”said Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt. “Today, the Montana Republican caucuses selected their respective Republican legislative leaders who will put our conservative agenda first, cut the red tape and invest in a stronger future for Montana.”

“Congratulations Sen. Jason Ellsworth who will serve as the next President of the Senate, Rep. Matt Regier who will serve as Speaker of the House for Montana and all the other GOP leaders selected. The Republican leadership in Montana’s 68th Legislature is full of proven and effective leaders who will strengthen our economy, lower taxes and fight to protect the Montana way of life in the upcoming session.”

Legislative leadership also includes:

Sen. Ken Bogner, Senate President Pro Tem
Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick, Senate Majority Leader
Rep. Rhonda Knudsen, Speaker Pro Tem
Rep. Sue Vinton, House Majority Leader

The 68th Montana Legislature will be sworn in on January 2, 2023.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2022
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement after the Republican Attorney General Association elected Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen as Vice Chairman:

“Congratulations Attorney General Austin Knudsen for being elected Vice Chairman of the Republican Attorney General Association. It is great to see Montana leadership at the national level promote and protect the Constitution, uphold the Rule of Law and help keep our communities safe. Over the past two years, Knudsen has worked hard leading Montana’s Department of Justice and ensuring the brave men and women of Montana law enforcement are supported. As Vice Chairman, Knudsen will continue to do the same while working with other Republican Attorney Generals to hold the Biden Administration accountable and protect our freedom,” Kaltschmidt said.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 11, 2022 Contact: madison@mtgop.org HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement after Montana Democrats started shaming voters about who they voted for in the election: “It is unbelievable that Montana voters are being shamed after they didn’t vote for Democrat candidates in the general election. Montanans should never have to explain who they voted for – yet alone be ridiculed if it’s not the Democratic Party. This election, voters themselves made it loud and clear when filling out their ballots who they wanted to lead our state,” Kaltschmindt said. “In Montana, we shake hands and hold our heads high regardless of winning or losing. It’s unfortunate Democrat opponents in both Congressional races both didn’t call to congratulate Ryan Zinke or Matt Rosendale on their win. Montanans know they elected the right candidates for congress who will protect the Montana way of life, and no one should feel shamed of their political views.” ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2022
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement honoring those who have served and continue to serve our nation on this Veterans Day:

“On this Veterans Day, Montanans are gathering across our great state to honor all the brave men and women who have served our country. We recognize their bravery, their honor and their commitment. With Montana being home to nearly 100,000 veterans, our state has a rich legacy of military service. As a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps myself, I understand the sacrifices our service members and their families go through for our freedom. The United States and the world are better places because of the courage our veterans and service members have shown. To all of Montana’s veterans – thank you for your service,” Kaltschmidt said.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2022
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – MTGOP Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt issued the following statement after Ryan Zinke won the election to represent Montana’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The Montana Republican Party enthusiastically congratulates Ryan Zinke on his hard-fought win to represent Western Montana in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

“Zinke will help hold Joe Biden and his Administration accountable and work to undo the damage of the Left’s disastrous policies. He will fight to lower prices for Montana families, stand up for our freedoms and work to secure the southern border. Montanans made the right choice by electing Zinke to serve alongside Steve Daines and Matt Rosendale in Congress. Congratulations, Ryan!” Kaltschmidt said.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2022
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt issued the following statement about liberal activist judge, Ingrid Gustafson rule of law is a justice for thee but not for me.

“Ingrid Gustafson champions Montana’s “Sunshine Laws” that allow the public access to communication and records for government and elected officials. Although, when it came to Gustafson’s own communication and records, she voted to block Montanans access to them. She’s a hypocrite-telling voters one thing and secretly doing another for her own benefit,” Kaltschmidt said.

“More recently, Gustafson ignored her ethical obligations multiple times to recuse herself from a case where she has a personal interest and refused. What kind of double standard justice is that? We must vote for James Brown, a true constitutional conservative to the Montana Supreme Court, he will restore integrity and confidence in Montana’s Judicial System once he is elected.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2022
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Facts show that Monica Tranel, radical environmental lawyer and far-left candidate for Montana’s First Congressional District, already stands shoulder to shoulder with Congressional Democrats working to kill domestic energy projects while leaving Montana families to pay the price. In fact, she has spent her career working to represent groups like 350Montana who are hellbent on ending American oil and gas production. Touting her $90,00 brand new electric vehicle on the election trail, Tranel has also been an echo chamber for the Left’s latest push to force hardworking families to buy an expensive electric vehicle rather than support common sense policies that promote American energy production.

Here are the facts:

Monica Tranel’s liberal green agenda will hurt Montana energy production, jobs and families:

Tranel herself said: “So what is the first thing I will tackle in Congress?…I’ve been doing a lot of work on climate change and energy. The energy transition is happening…” (“Democratic Candidates running for Montana’s Western Congressional District,” MCAT Community Media, 05/11/22)

Monica Tranel has outwardly supported President Biden and the Democrats’ Build Back Broke bill and advocated for Green New Deal policies:

All to satisfy the crazy climate mob, the Democrats’ disastrous plan undercuts Made in Montana energy and forks over billions of dollars in slush funds to advance Green New Deal policies that will destroy Montana jobs and safe production. It also raises taxes on local oil and gas producers, directly impacting Montanans.

“The Build Back Better Act would raise the royalty rates for all new oil, gas, and coal leases from 12.5% to 20%, and in some cases up to 25%.” (Mark Passwaters, “Biden’s Build Back Better bill would ban drilling offshore Florida, increase royalty rates,” Upstream Online, 11/4/21)

Thankfully, Montanans have Ryan Zinke, a Navy SEAL Commander, former Montana Congressman, and Interior Secretary under President Trump, on the ticket to vote for.

In Congress, Ryan Zinke will once again be a champion of the issues most important to Montana and unleash American energy.

“Under Ryan Zinke’s leadership at the Department of the Interior, the U.S. achieved Energy Dominance, increased federal energy revenues, and responsibly opened federal acreage for energy production,” Trump, who has endorsed Zinke, said in a statement. “He will be a strong leader for the great Patriots of Montana.” (Maxine Joselow, “Ryan Zinke makes his ‘energy dominance’ pitch to Montanans”, Washington Post, 5/19/22)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2022
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Liberal activist judge Ingrid Gustafson is bad for business. In fact, she is so bad, the Montana Chamber of Commerce gave her an “F Rating” in their latest judicial report card-the lowest of any other justice on the Montana Supreme Court.

The nonpartisan scorecard, which is created to help Montana’s business community track judicial rulings that impact Montana’s economy, evaluates each justice on their pro-business positions.

Small businesses make up over 99 percent of Montana’s business environment-employing over 250,000 Montanans.

Fair and impartial judges are a critical component of a thriving economy and during unprecedented economic times, Gustafson is the last person Montanans should trust to stand up for their small business.

Gustafson’s opponent constitutional conservative James Brown has a proven record of standing up for Montana farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. As a small businessman himself, Brown will consistently be pro-business and protect Montana jobs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 21, 2022 Contact: madison@mtgop.org HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Republican Party reached a significant milestone by hitting our one millionth voter contact this election cycle. A joint effort by Montana Republican Party and our incredibly dedicated team of volunteers resulted in the accomplishment. Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement: “Thanks to our wonderful team and dedicated volunteers, I’m proud to announce the Montana Republican Party has made one million voter contacts this year. From knocking doors to making phone calls, we’re talking with voters across the state and what we’re hearing is that they are fired up for another red wave this November,” Kaltschmidt said. “I am incredibly grateful for our team and volunteers who have worked hard this year to Keep Montana, Montana. With these efforts to get out the vote, Montana Republicans are poised to keep our state red and turn things around in Washington by flipping seats in the U.S. House, Supreme Court and local races.” ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2022
Contact: madison@mtgop.org

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt issued the following statement after the liberal activist Justice, Ingrid Gustafson had two Judicial Standards Commission complaints filed against her yesterday.

“It is appalling, but not surprising that Justice Gustafson had the audacity to take part in a case where she knowingly received endorsements from the plaintiffs and attorneys. She had the opportunity to recuse herself, but she blatantly disregarded her ethical obligation in hopes of achieving a favorable outcome. If we can’t trust our Supreme Court in Montana, who can we trust to uphold the law? It’s clear the Montana Supreme Court won’t fix itself-Montanans must elect James Brown in November so we can start to restore integrity of the judicial system,” Kaltschmidt said.

Read more about the complaints filed against Gustafson HERE.