Following the 2025 legislative session, there has been much debate about what it means to be a Montana Republican. To me, the answer is simple: standing for conservative values, empowering Montana families and businesses, and resisting an ever-expanding state government. Voters expect the Republican candidates they elect to advance Republican principles and policies.

Yet, from day one of the legislative session, a faction of nine self-identified Republican senators chose to partner with Democrats, effectively dissolving the Republican majority and derailing the agenda mandated by Montana voters. The faction betrayed Montanans who voted for Republican governance by putting their own ambitions and the minority agenda above the will of voters.

To protect voters from further duplicity, a majority of delegates at our annual MTGOP convention in June voted to defend the party from the Democrat-aligned faction. Three of the senators then sued the party in an attempt to undo the entire convention, despite nine votes not even being enough to change any outcomes. Montana Republicans were justified in voting to distance themselves from the senators through fair and proper procedure.

One of the litigants, former Senate President Jason Ellsworth, has a record of flouting rules and evading accountability inside and outside the Capitol. Multiple investigations substantiated wastes of taxpayer money and abuses of power by Ellsworth, but the rogue “Republicans” and their Democrat allies blocked a motion to expel him from the Senate, instead opting for a slap on the wrist. Their message to Montanans was clear: Democrats and their cronies have little regard for accountability and even less for fulfilling the will of Montana voters.

Under new leadership, the MTGOP is focused on protecting Republican voters and questioning entrenched Helena “Swamp Bosses” who have abused the Republican brand to maintain power in state government. Heading into the 2026 midterms and 2027 session, Republicans are focused on addressing property taxes, judicial transparency, and election integrity — priorities that would be further along if not for obstruction by Democrats and the self-proclaimed Republicans who empowered them.

Being a Republican cannot just be a label candidates use to win conservative votes; it must signify a real commitment to delivering wins for the people of Montana. Instead of trying to force the Republican Party to adopt their agenda, Senator Ellsworth and his crew should be honest with Montanans and run as Independents or Democrats. Montana conservatives know their home is in the Republican Party, and we intend to deliver them the policies we promised.

Senate President Matt Regier

Senate District 5

Published in Lee Enterprises newspapers, Montana Sentinel, September 6/9, 2025
https://montanasentinel.press/2025/09/09/real-republicans-defend-the-partys-voters-from-swamp-bosses/