FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2026

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) Executive Board passed a second resolution admonishing those primary candidates and county party officials who continue to collaborate with Democrat consulting firm Fireweed Campaigns Inc. and rescinding their recognition as Republicans.

The Executive Board previously passed a resolution rebuking candidates in Republican primary races who received donations from Fireweed and paid the Democrat firm for campaign services. That resolution called upon the identified candidates to return money received from Democrat-funded Fireweed and disassociate from them and other progressive organizations attempting to influence Republican races.

Representative Eric Albus promptly denounced any association with Fireweed and stated that he would return money received from the group and its staff; the MTGOP recognizes his integrity and appreciates his communication on this matter.

In contrast, Representatives Brad Barker, George Nikolakakos, and John Fitzpatrick responded with hostility and contempt for the MTGOP. The party took particular issue with them complaining about the Republican Party shining light on the matter. Under their argument, only the Democrat Party should be involved with our Republican primary races.

Most of the Fireweed candidates chose not to respond at all. 

The latest resolution admonishes the candidates and party officials who chose Fireweed and the related network of dirty Democrat money over Montana Republican voters – dubbed the Fireweed Frauds – for their “collective, willful, and continual alignment with the Democrat Party” during the 2026 election cycle.

The Executive Board’s resolution further declares that the Fireweed Frauds are no longer considered as Republicans by the MTGOP and demands that the county party officials be removed from the elected positions they hold within the party. Media outlets are advised not to refer to any of the Fireweed Frauds as Republicans.

“The MTGOP Executive Board unanimously no longer supports the Fireweed Frauds in the 2026 Election because they have disqualified themselves from speaking on behalf of Montana Republicans,” the resolution states.

The list of Fireweed Frauds includes: David Bedey; Llew Jones; Kenneth Walsh; Brad Barker; Michele Binkley; Linda Reksten; Shelley Vance; Curtis Cochran; Susan Geise; Russell Nelson; John Fitzpatrick; George Nikolakakos; Melissa Nikolakakos; Valerie Moore; Ed Buttrey; Doug Martens; Ross Fitzgerald; Roger Hagan; and Ted Kronebush.

A full copy of the resolution can be found HERE.