Republican Tim Sheehy defeated Democrat Senator Jon Tester this past election day.

After seeing his polling numbers down over the summer, Tester was unable to overcome the uphill battle in the final weeks leading up to the election.

Sheehy, a former U.S. Navy Seal, secured victory after gaining 53% of the vote.

Incumbent Gov. Greg Gianforte won reelection for a second term as Montana’s governor and defeated a challenge from his democratic opponent, a former businessman, Ryan Busse.

Gov. Gianforte was heavily favored to win reelection and won by receiving nearly 60% of the vote.

The Commissioner of Political Practices published increases to the campaign contribution limits for the 2024-2025 election cycle.

Individuals and PACs are able to contribute $1,120 per election to a candidate for governor and lieutenant governor; $790 per election to a candidate for statewide office; and $450 per election to a candidate for other public offices.

The previous limits were $1,000, $700, and $400.

Campaign limits have also increased for political party committees.

The new limits are applicable as of December 9, 2023.

The Montana Legislature adjourned sine die May 2, after a surprising motion from Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers leading to an impromptu close of the contentious 2023 session.

The House, playing catch up to the Senate’s sudden adjournment, was able to pass both of the session’s marque bills.

House Bill 2, the state’s $13.4 billion budget bill, and House Bill 816, an income and property tax rebate bill.

This does affect lobbyist reporting. The principal end of session report is due June 1.

Governor Greg Gianforte has appointed Chris Gallus as Montana’s new Commissioner of Political Practices.

Gallus previously served as legal counsel for the Montana Chamber of Commerce before starting his own private practice.

The Montana Senate has not yet confirmed Gallus’s appointment and no date has been set for his confirmation hearing.

If his appointment is approved, Gallus will serve a six-year term as Commissioner of Political Practices.

Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices, Jeff Mangan, has announced his retirement, effective November 7.

During his almost six-year tenure, Mangan was celebrated by Republicans and Democrats alike for his nonpartisan approach to the role.

Before leaving office, Mangan is focusing on shoring up protections for election officials in response to the uptick of hostility towards the country’s election integrity.

Mangan stated his reason for stepping down early was to return to the private sector.

Gov. Greg Gianforte will select the next commissioner from a shortlist submitted to him by lawmakers.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has ruled against Montana, holding the state’s laws regarding political committees are unconstitutionally vague.

The court took umbrage with the state’s rule which governs whether political spending needs to be reported.

In Montana, any group of two or more people who spend $250 or more in an election cycle to support or oppose political candidates must register and report as a political committee.

Volunteer activities do not count towards the $250 threshold, but the court held Montana’s administrative scheme did not give plaintiffs fair notice that their activities fell outside the definition of volunteer services.

The decision opens the pathway to challenge the state’s definition of a political committee.

Gov. Greg Gianforte and Republican lawmakers announced they are looking into holding a special session to redraw Montana’s Public Service Commission districts.

Gianforte asserted he will only call a special session if it is limited to the solitary topic of redrawing, but a few Republicans wish to expand the special session.

Rep. Derek Skees wishes to address “election integrity,” requesting $250,000 to create a committee to examine election security.

The schism over the scope of the special session might take the issue out of the Legislature’s hands entirely.

A lawsuit is already pending in federal court over the population imbalance within districts.

If a special session is not called to amend the deficiency, the task will be turned over to a panel of three federal judges.

If Skees can garner a majority of lawmakers for his cause, the special session can be called without the governor’s approval.

Montana District Court Judge Mike Menahan has issued a permanent injunction preventing the state from enforcing two provisions of Senate Bill 319.

The two provisions in question were late additions to the bill, added during a conference committee a day before the Legislature adjourned.

One amendment prohibited political committees from conducting voting activities inside residence halls, dining facilities, or athletic facilities on public college campuses.

The other amendment forced judges to recuse themselves if an attorney or party in a case before them made more than 50% of the maximum allowed donation to their campaign within the previous six years.

The Montana Constitution requires bills to contain a single subject and prevents the Legislature from amending bills to the point their original purpose is obfuscated.

Gov. Greg Gianforte is currently deciding whether to appeal the injunction.

The case is currently pending, with several other lawsuits challenging the bill awaiting a court decision.

A federal judge struck down Montana’s Clean Campaign Act, holding the law violates free speech and due process rights of political committees.

The law requires political committees to give candidates notice when the committee sends out negative mailers within 10 days of an election.

The court held the law was a content-based restriction on free speech, leading the court to analyze the law under the strict scrutiny standard.

Under this standard, the law may remain only if the law is found to be narrowly tailored to further a compelling governmental interest.

Judge Donald W. Molloy found the law did not combat corruption but could end up chilling political speech.

Molloy further held the law violated the Equal Protection Clause, affecting political action committees differently based on the type of content the committees put out.

It is not yet known if the ruling will be appealed.

Montana Gov. Gianforte signed a bill raising contribution limits to state candidates.

Senate Bill 224 raises the limit to $1,000 for candidates filed jointly for the office of governor and lieutenant governor; $700 for a candidate to be elected for state office in a statewide election; and $400 for a candidate for any other public office.

The bill also amends the definitions of contribution and expenditure to exclude the use of a person’s real property for a fundraising reception or other political event.

The bill is effective October 1.

Montana District Court Judge Michael Menahan said he will temporarily block the implementation of two sections of Senate Bill 319.

The bill was amended late, with the amendment adding the two sections in question.

One amendment revised how political committees could operate on college campuses.

The other amendment prohibited judges from presiding over a case if they had received campaign contributions of $91 or more from a party within a six-year timespan.

Judge Menahan intends to issue the order sometime before July 1.

Montana’s Supreme Court has held Senate Bill 140 is constitutional.

SB 140 allows the governor to appoint judges directly, abolishing the judicial nomination commission.

The Montana Legislature adjourned sine die April 29 after passing the state budget and policies to regulate and tax marijuana sales.

The Republican majority focused attention on numerous socially conservative causes including abortion, transgender rights, and bills decreasing the power of local public health and the executive branch during a health crisis.

The Legislature’s most lauded achievement was passing $120 million in tax cuts over the next two years.