HELENA — Skirmishes between so-called “responsible Republicans” and the GOP’s more conservative faction will again play out at the ballot box, as moderates attempt to increase their numbers in the Montana Legislature.
Election filings this week show continuing signs of the deep fractures within the Montana GOP, with a dozen Republican incumbents facing opponents in the June 7 primary.
Among the incumbents facing challengers are Rep. Randy Pinocci of Sun River, who won his seat two years ago when he ousted a moderate incumbent. Also facing a challenge — from two fellow Republicans — is embattled Rep. Art Wittich, who is scheduled to go on trial later this month on accusations of violating campaign finance laws.
Thirty-three House seats, including open seats, are being contested by at least two Republicans, while only 13 of those races have at least two Democrats.
Two years ago, numerous conservative candidates challenged moderate incumbents and deepened fractures within the Republican Party.
This time, the offensive is coming from moderates.
“Obviously, the Republican Party is a big, diverse party. We’re not monochromatic in the policies we pursue and support, and (the candidates) we get elected,” said Rep. Jeff Essmann, chair of the Montana GOP. “The public is best served through a competitive election process.”
Some Republicans contend that Democrats are using the century-old open primary system to influence the outcome of GOP contests.
Last week, the Montana GOP filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court that, if successful, could establish a closed primary to prevent Democrats from voting in Republican elections, and vice versa.
Because of GOP fissures, key legislation championed by Democrats and Gov. Steve Bullock won passage last year in the Republican-controlled House and Senate. That included an expansion of Medicaid, a water compact with Native American tribes and the confirmation of Jonathan Motl as the Commissioner of Political Practices.
“Most of the time, the moderates voted with the majority of their party. However, on several high-profile bills, the moderates forged alliances with Democrats to enact compromise pieces of legislation,” said Jeremy Johnson, a political science professor at Carroll College in Helena.
Republicans held majorities in both the Senate and House, but legislative leaders were often challenged to keep their majority intact on key votes. Democrats cobbled together a workable majority on some legislation by compromising within moderate Republicans.
“The moderates were very effective during the last session despite their relatively small numbers,” Johnson said. “That working majority was able to find procedural methods to work around the majority leadership on certain issues.”
Nancy Keenan, the executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, said the high number of intraparty rivalries points to Republicans “fighting for the soul of their party.”
But Rep. Sarah Laszloffy, a self-described conservative from Billings who is not seeking re-election, said the high number of races benefits a party striving to be more inclusive in thought, particularly on social and fiscal issues.
“We will always see those kinds of differences in politics,” she said. “That’s how we roll. It’s a free-for-all.”