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. ### |
News
MTGOP CHAIRMAN DON “K” KALTSCHMIDT STATEMENT ON 9/11
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.”
MTGOP CHAIRMAN DON “K” KALTSCHIMIDT SLAMS THE OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
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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Latest Updates from the Montana Republican Party
Senator Steve Daines
Daily on Energy: GOP senators dish on prospects for permitting reform – Sens. Steve Daines, Kevin Cramer, and John Hoeven say that Republicans are ready to negotiate on a more comprehensive bill on permitting reform – but with certain lines drawn in the sand. Read more at WashingtonExaminer.com →
Basin Electric Congressional Panel – Basin Electric Vice President of Government Relations Tyler Hamman moderated a congressional panel at this year’s Annual Meeting of the Membership. The panelists included U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Steve Daines of Montana. Read more at BasinElectric.com →
Congressman Ryan Zinke
Zinke, Sheehy, talk federal government with former Trump administration officials at Gateway town hall – Tim Sheehy, who is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, made a Gallatin Valley appearance on the campaign trail during a town hall with U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke on Thursday. Read more at BozemanDailyChronicle.com →
Zinke visits Colt Fire – United States Congressman Ryan Zinke met with firefighters at Lake Alva on July 31, discussing both the growing Colt Fire and the push to boost wildland firefighter funding. Read more at SeelyLake.com →
No one does it cleaner and better than the US: Rep. Ryan Zinke – Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., discusses how U.S. adversaries are cashing in on President Biden’s green push on ‘The Bottom Line.’ Read more at FoxBusiness.com →
Congressman Matt Rosendale
House Republican says he opposes all temporary government funding bills as shutdown looms – Conservative Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale tells Fox News he won’t vote for any continuing resolution to fund the government past Sept. 30 as Congress readies for what could be a messy showdown over government spending levels and legislative priorities. Read more at FoxNews.com →
ROSENDALE KICKS OFF EASTERN MONTANA ENERGY TOUR – Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale (R-MT02) kicked off his Eastern Montana Energy Tour as he is set to be joined by Arizona Congressmen Eli Crane and Andy Biggs at the Stillwater Mine, Yellowtail Dam, the coal mine in Colstrip, and the CHS Refinery in Laurel. Read more at MontanaTalks.com →
Talking with U.S. Rep. Rosendale about military matters – U.S. Representative Matt Rosendale of Montana’s Eastern Congressional District was interviewed on Montana This Morning. Read more at KRTV.com →
REP. ROSENDALE PRESENTS CONGRESSIONAL RECORD TO COLSTRIP TO CELEBRATE 100TH ANNIVERSARY – Rep. Rosendale presented a Congressional Record to Colstrip Mayor John Williams to recognize the centennial celebration of the town of Colstrip. Read more at Rep. Rosendale’s Website →
Governor Greg Gianforte
Governor Gianforte Joins Montanans To Celebrate Largest Tax Cut in State History – Governor Greg Gianforte joined legislators and Montanans to celebrate the impact of the historic tax package he signed into law this spring. Read more at Gov. Gianforte’s website →
Attorney General Austin Knudsen
Biden admin hit with legal challenge for green-lighting massive plan to take ag lands out of production – Montana Attorney General Knudsen says Biden admin actions are ‘direct attack on rural communities’ Read more at FoxNews.com →
Department of Justice reports record amount of fentanyl seizures in Montana – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen says a record amount of fentanyl has been seized in the state in the first half of 2023. Read more at KTVH.com →
The Battle to Ban TikTok and the Man at the Center of It – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen says he might not be leading the fight to ban TikTok in the state if it hadn’t been for a Chinese surveillance balloon. Read more at WSJ.com →
Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen
Montana Secretary of State: ‘Where is the Media on Election Integrity?’ – Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen spoke to KGVO News on Tuesday to ask why media outlets, print, radio, and television across the state are not covering the upcoming Supreme Court decision on what she called ‘common sense election integrity laws’ that were passed in the 2021 legislature, then struck down by a Montana District Court. Read more at NewsTalkKGVO.com →
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen
Elder fraud on the rise, Commissioner says – Montana’s frontier spirit and tireless efforts have yielded positive results for our teachers and students as the U.S. Department of Education (USED) has officially approved the Field-Testing Flexibility Waiver for the new Montana Alternative Student Testing (MAST) pilot program. Read more on the Montana Office of Public Instruction website →
Commissioner Troy Downing
Elder fraud on the rise, Commissioner says – On a tour of eastern Montana, Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) Troy Downing stopped off in Sidney to give a presentation on elder fraud in the hopes of preventing scams from ever taking place. Read more at SidneyHerald.com →
State auditor Troy Downing announces possible consideration for congressional run – Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen announced she has launched an exploratory committee for a run for Congress in the state’s second district, which has now prompted Troy Downing to announce he’s considering running. Read more at KULR8.com →
Liberal Millionaire Bozeman Trial Lawyer to Announce for Attorney General
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2023
Contact: madison@mtgop.org
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.
Failed congressional candidate Monica Tranel’s decision to run for U.S. Congress again
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
Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt reelected for a third term
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2023
Contact: madison@mtgop.org
HELENA, Montana – On Saturday, June 10, members of the Montana Republican Party voted to re-elect Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt at their Officers’ Convention for a third term. Vice Chairman and State Representative Lola Sheldon- Galloway was also chosen to serve a third term as Vice Chair.
Chairman Kaltschmidt released the following statement after the vote:
“It is an honor to be re-elected as the Chairman of the Montana Republican Party. I want to thank the members of the MTGOP for choosing me to lead our party for another two years and I look forward to serving our party in this critical role once again.
Since I have been Chairman, the MTGOP has achieved historic success. Republicans in Montana now maintain control of 8 out of 9 statewide offices. Thanks to the hard work of our elected Montana State Legislators, the GOP supermajority had an incredibly successful 68th legislative session. Through our strong grassroots movement, exceptional team, and continued momentum, we will continue to advance conservative values across our state in the 2024 election cycle.
I have no doubt that next year we will elect Republicans up and down the ballot. Republicans are focused on making Montana bright red and most of all retiring Democrat Jon Tester from his Senate career.
Our convention this weekend demonstrated the enthusiasm among Montana Republicans, and that together, we are stronger. Montana Republicans are more united than ever before, and we look forward to victories across our state next year.”
MTGOP STATEMENT ON 68TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION
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.”
TWO FACED TESTER VOTES WITH BIDEN & SCHUMER TO THREATEN OUR MONTANA WAY OF LIFE
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.
MTGOP Chairman Stands With House Republicans’ Motion to Revoke Floor Privileges for Democrat Rep. Zephyr
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2023
Contact: press@mtgop.org
HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt issued the following statement after the motion to revoke floor privileges from Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr passed on the House floor:
“Today Montana House Republicans voted to impose consequences on Democrat Representative Zooey Zephyr. This radical legislator instigated a riot that ended in multiple arrests and endangered legislators and staff. Our supermajority stood strong against leftwing intimidation. Revoking House Floor privileges from Representative Zephyr shows that Representative’s behavior is unacceptable and not tolerated in the Montana State Capitol,” Chairman Kaltschmidt said.
“I’m proud of the conservative leadership that stood against the woke mob tactics incited by the Representative, the Democrat Party, and the media. Republicans will continue to stand for Montana values on the House floor and protect our way of life.”
MTGOP CHAIRMAN DON “K” KALTSCHMIDT SLAMS FAR-LEFT AGITATORS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2023
Contact: press@mtgop.org
HELENA, Mont. – Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt issued the following statement after today’s events in the Montana House gallery:
“Violence has no place in our political process. The far-left disruption at Montana’s Capitol today was a direct result of extremist rhetoric promoted by a few select legislators and their allies in the media,” Chairman Kaltschmidt said.
“The Montana Republican Party will not be intimidated by the behaviors of a few hateful agitators. We are committed to civil discourse, law and order, and protecting the safety of the public and strongly condemn the riot at the Montana Capitol today. I want to thank our brave law enforcement officers for quickly restoring order. Montana Republicans will continue to pass laws that benefit the people of Montana and defend the values they were elected to preserve.”
Montana Republicans Giving Hard-Earned Money Back
Today was a historic day at the Montana State Capitol. Following the work of our Republican legislature, Governor Greg Gianforte signed a group of bills into law that are giving hard- working Montanans tax relief, making the state debt free in 2023 and providing for a SAFER Roads and Bridges Fund.
Residential property owners can expect to see a property tax rebate of $1,000 paid out in 2024 and 2025, and an income tax rebate of up to $1,250 per individual taxpayer and $2,500 for married couples filing jointly. The money going back into your pockets is a result of Montana’s historical budget surplus.
You sent a Republican supermajority to Helena with a conservative mandate to pass legislation that will benefit the people of Montana. It is safe to say our GOP elected leaders have worked together and are delivering on that mandate.
We are sharing this good news with you today to make sure you let your local Republican legislators and the Governor’s office know to keep up the hard work in Helena!