HELENA — The judge who struck down Montana’s campaign contribution limits has upheld his own decision after state attorneys asked him to reconsider.
That means the only chance of reinstating those limits before the Nov. 6 election lies in an emergency appeal filed with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell last week ruled that limits to the contributions given to candidates by individuals and political parties are unconstitutional.
The state formally asked him to reconsider, saying the decision could cause irreparable harm a month before the election.
On Tuesday, Lovell upheld his decision. The judge wrote the case is not about policy but following the law set by the U.S. Supreme Court.
No decision had been issued by the 9th Circuit as of Tuesday afternoon.