HELENA – A conservative group is asking a federal judge to undo Montana’s campaign contribution restrictions even as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a related case.
Virginia-based American Tradition Partnership wants the federal court to immediately undo Montana’s donation limits for individuals, political action committees, political parties and others. The group told U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell on Thursday that the restrictions are an unconstitutional restriction of free speech.
The Montana attorney general’s office is defending the limits as necessary to prevent political corruption.
The state also argued the issues overlap a separate case brought by the group that’s now before the U.S. Supreme Court that seeks to overturn Montana’s ban on corporations spending to help elect or defeat candidates.
Lovell promised a quick decision since campaign season is heating up.