HELENA — The Republican Governors Association agreed to register as a political committee in Montana after spending more than $450,000 prior to the state’s June 7 primary to benefit Bozeman businessman Greg Gianforte’s campaign for governor.
Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl called on the governors association to register as a committee after The Associated Press reported the group acknowledged spending large amounts of money for television spots critical of Gov. Steve Bullock.
The organization filed a campaign finance report on Monday, the latest reporting deadline, as required of all political committees that register as a Montana entity.
Under the auspices of the RGA Right Direction PAC, the association of GOP governors reported spending more than $453,000, the bulk for advertising and two polls.
“That was a lot of money, and we’re glad it is now reported,” Motl said on Tuesday.
Montana law requires groups spending money on Montana campaigns to register with Motl’s office and file monthly spending reports. Motl acknowledged a gray area in state law that he said could be interpreted as allowing federally registered committees to report less frequently under the schedule set by the Federal Election Commission.
Prompted by an AP report earlier this month about the pace of spending and fundraising in the Montana governor’s race, Motl sent a letter noting that the Republican Governors Association had not filed as a political committee under state law.
Michael Adams, the governors association’s general counsel, replied to Motl in an email that it was his understanding that the RGA, as a federally registered committee, was in compliance.
“That said, let me assure you we have no desire to be cute or tricky or game the system” Adams wrote in a subsequent email. “We are not a ‘dark money’ organization and we have always been transparent about our activities, in Montana and elsewhere.”
Motl said Republican Governors Association officials were cooperative, and despite gray areas in state law opted on their own to register as a political committee with his office.
“We’re not trying to create a fight with the RGA,” Motl said. “We were just trying to get them to report because this was a lot of money.”
Montana’s gubernatorial race has generated big money thus far, in fundraising by the candidates and in outside spending.
Campaign finance reports filed with the state on Monday show Gov. Steve Bullock has more than $1.4 million to spend in his re-election campaign, while his Republican challenger, Greg Gianforte, has about $133,000 left after spending heavily in the first months of the governor’s race.
Monday’s filing reports were the first since the state’s June 7 primary elections and cover the period between May 28 and June 22.
Gianforte’s report shows his campaign received another $100,000 from his personal fortune. In all, the Bozeman businessman has contributed $500,000 toward his bid for governor.
Gianforte has spent more than $1.6 million since launching his campaign, while Bullock has spent $554,000.
While Gianforte might have drawn down much of the $1.8 million he’s raised, he can tap into his personal wealth to help finance his campaign.