Montana Republican Lawmakers Sue State GOP Over Disenfranchisement

Three Montana Republican state senators—Jason Ellsworth, Denley Loge, and Shelley Vance—have filed a lawsuit against the Montana GOP after being disenfranchised at the June 28 party officers' convention, where they were barred from voting for new leadership. The senators, part of a minority group who supported Republican Governor Greg Gianforte's policy agenda including Medicaid expansion and property tax reforms, contend that their voting rights were revoked in retaliation for their legislative actions and collaboration with Democrats. At the convention, members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus pushed to exclude these senators despite the party chair's attempt to stop the move, leading to their ejection from the event. The GOP's executive director dismissed the lawsuit, accusing the lawmakers of siding with the opposing party and then suing for reinstatement. The dispute highlights deep divisions within the Montana Republican Party, particularly between the hard-right faction and more moderate Republicans aligned with the governor. The group of nine senators, including the three plaintiffs, have been labeled the "Nasty Nine" by opponents for their bipartisan cooperation during the legislative session.